GMC Baramulla awaits critical services to fulfill north Kashmir’s healthcare needs
Baramulla, Jan 31: The only tertiary care centre in north Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla continues to serve as a healthcare lifeline for thousands across north Kashmir. However, despite achieving milestones in patient care, the institution needs to fulfil its mission as a comprehensive tertiary care centre for north Kashmir’s almost 23 lakh population by strengthening it in critical specialities like cardiology and nephrology.
Additionally, the establishment of a fully equipped intensive care unit (ICU) is imperative to handle life-threatening emergencies with greater efficiency. As per records of the associated hospital Government Medical College, Baramulla, the hospital received 4.5 lakh patients last year in Out Patient Department (OPD). Over 25,000 patients were admitted and treated, ensuring comprehensive healthcare delivery.
In the same year, over 8,000 complex procedures were performed, spanning general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT and gynaecology. Similarly, more than 4,000 minimal invasive procedures were carried out. Importantly, the hospital recorded 7,502 deliveries, averaging 21 childbirths per day. While in the diagnostics and laboratory services, over 5.04 lakh tests, 97,200 X-Rays, 52200 ECG’S and 39600 Ultrasounds were performed. Besides, 2,000 endoscopies, and 112 bronchoscopies. In laboratory tests, over 5.04 lakh tests were conducted, including 4.9 lakh biochemical investigations and 18,000 HIV tests.
GMC Baramulla is the only medical college in North Kashmir offering fibre-optic bronchoscopy and polysomnography (sleep lab) services.
Providing a huge relief for the Chronic Kidney Disease patients, the hospital dialysis centre performed 4,200 procedures, ensuring life saving care for patients with kidney disease.
Obstetrics & Gynecology: Managed 60,209 OPD patients, 11,851 admissions, and 2,848 referrals.
The year has also been a Year of Academic Excellence and Research. It hosted six Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions and Conducted seven workshops and seminars on emerging medical advancements. It celebrated its first graduation day, marking a historic milestone. GMC Baramulla organized an event for International Blood Donors Day, promoting voluntary blood donation. Four faculty members completed the Advanced Course in Medical Education (ACME), enhancing teaching standards.
The faculty members also represented GMC Baramulla on national and international platforms, boosting the institution’s reputation as a centre of excellence. Despite showing a remarkable achievement, the Government Medical College, Baramulla has been deprived of important services especially in the Cardiology and Nephrology department. Besides, lack of Intensive Care Unit is another reason for the referral of the patient from the GMC Baramulla.
The residents of north Kashmir have often shown resentment over the lack of such facilities at the GMC Baramulla, and urged the state administration to initiate these services at the earliest so that people of north Kashmir need not to move to Srinagar hospitals.
Notably, the dialysis centre at GMC Baramulla started two years back has been a huge benefit for the CKD patients, however, despite administration mulling to expand the services of the dialysis centre by recently signing MOU with the NHPC, the lack of a nephrologist is a huge hurdle for the welfare of the CKD patients.
“A full-fledged cardiology section, with a cath lab and presence of a nephrologist and ICU facility will lead to less referrals to SKIMS and SMHS hospitals and eventually benefit the patients of north Kashmir,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a member of civil society Baramulla.
