Srinagar, Feb 17: Government Medical College Baramulla has achieved another significant achievement with four successful cochlear implant surgeries, bringing the total number of procedures to ten.
Officials said three patients received free cochlear implants through the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme, while one adult patient self-funded the Nucleus cochlear implant. Two patients were from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, one from Uri and another one from Baramulla district.
Dr Zafarullah Beigh, Assistant Professor, ENT Department, conducted the surgeries under the mentorship of AIIMS, New Delhi faculty.
As per doctors, patients with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss undergo thorough evaluations, including audiological and radiological investigations.
Documents of eligible patients meeting income (< 22500 pm) and age criteria (1-5 years pre-lingual & 5-18 years post-lingual) set by ADIP are uploaded for free implant approval on the ADIP website. They said those not meeting ADIP criteria are provided alternative funding options such as NGOs, CSR, or self-funding. Surgeries for all eligible patients are conducted free of cost at GMC Baramulla.
Officials informed that a dedicated OPD for hearing-impaired children is held every Friday in the super speciality section of the OPD block.
The medical college authorities have urged the healthcare providers in the valley to direct such patients to GMC Baramulla OPD for comprehensive evaluation and management.
They attributed the success of the Cochlear Implant Surgery Program to the continuous efforts of Principal Prof Ruby Reshi, who regularly procures high-end equipment needed for performing such advanced surgeries and directs collaboration among various specialities.
The college has also credited the success to Dr Parvaiz Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent of the Associated Hospital, for providing logistical and moral support for the smooth conduct of these surgeries.
