Srinagar, Jan 11: Patients with non-communicable diseases including cancer are getting better treatment facilities in GMC Baramulla, a premier healthcare facility in north Kashmir which has come as a major relief for patients of far-flung areas.
Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr Rubi Reshi said the medical college started conducting cancer surgeries which is a milestone in the healthcare delivery in entire north Kashmir.
She said they committed to provide comprehensive cancer care to people including state-of-the-art diagnostic setup, cancer diagnosis in particular, management and follow-up.
“The future endeavors include MRI and complete radio-diagnostic and radiotherapy and radiation oncology setup,” she said. The principal said once that is done they shall be able to treat cancer patients visiting the medical college from far-flung areas.
She said many cancers, especially gastrointestinal organs, lung and breast cancer are on the rise as witnessed over the past many years and attention to these problems is urgent.
Dr H. Vaqar Ahmad, Head Department of General Surgery, GMC Baramulla Srinagar said when the department was started the hospital would function as a district hospital.
“We have conducted surgeries in stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, thyroid cancer and other cancer surgeries. Cancer work is teamwork. We have now enough manpower in radiation oncology and medical oncology,” Dr Ahmad said.
The medical college has also started chemotherapy services. Earlier, patients from north Kashmir had to go to Srinagar hospitals like SKIMS Soura and GMC Srinagar for the same. “There are all facilities for cancer patients. There is complete cancer treatment,” he said.
The HoD mentioned that with the commencement of the medical college and surgery department, it gained super specialists who actively contributed to the progress of the work.
“As the department started we started doing surgeries. We did notable work in the laparoscopic surgeries. Now, advanced laparoscopic surgeries are conducted routinely benefitting the patients of north Kashmir,” he said.
The doctor said now all the patients are handled in GMC Baramulla only and they have state-of-the-art machinery and equipment with the support of the government.
“There is still a scope for improvement and we are working hard for more. Today, if we compare our hospital with other hospitals we are at a better place,” he said.
Notably, the hospital has started super specialty clinics of several departments like neurosurgery, surgery, urology, pediatric surgery which run every week. These clinics have helped patients a lot.
Dr Ahmad said now the diagnostic facilities including CT Scan and investigations have improved. “We can only do surgeries and perform better when we have all the required facilities,” he said.
“Patients of entire north Kashmir should come and take the benefit of the available facilities and they no longer need to travel to Srinagar hospitals for treatment,” the HoD said.
