GMC Sgr’s surgery deptt overhauls to global standards

Srinagar, Nov 09: The Department of Minimal Access and General Surgery, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar has achieved international standards with introduction of laparoscopic techniques and reduced the waiting period for the surgical interventions.
Head Department of Minimal Access and General Surgery, GMC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr) Iqbal Saleem said since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, the department has upgraded to the level of international standards with regard to minimal access and laparoscopic surgery.
Some important surgeries performed recently in the department are laparoscopic colorectal surgeries for cancer colorectum, laparoscopic Whipple surgeries for pancreatic cancers, Lap Stomach resections for stomach cancers, laparoscopic surgeries for almost all benign or non-cancerous conditions of gastrointestinal tract and chest.
Dr Saleem said the department has been able to project to the government various requirements which are necessary for improving patient outcomes with regard to laparoscopy, urology, thorax and complex Abdominal Wall hernias.
“The government has understood that the work is being done as per standard protocols and that we were able to procure state-of-the-art equipment in the recent past. But every day, new instruments are coming and if we want to give best possible patient care then we have to make sure that we project the requirements of newer devices in a proper forum to the administration to procure such equipment,” he said.
Presently, the surgery department has produced some of the best laparoscopic surgeons who work in government hospitals in India as well as in other countries.
“We have also started a fellowship in minimal access surgery two years back which has definitely improved the scope and training of young surgeons that is going to have a positive impact in overall treatment of patients,” he said.
He said the Govt. Medical College Srinagar has a robust and advanced department of anaesthesia and critical care who make sure whatever complex procedures we do, those patients are treated as per the international standards.
Dr Saleem said in line with the recent guidelines many departments of the medical college have joined under Tumour Board in which the patients who have malignancies especially of the abdomen are investigated and the board gives recommendations for best protocols which are followed.
“We have a dynamic mechanism in which we invite specialist doctors from outside the valley and our doctors also go to various institutes to see what are the latest advances and then these are put in action for patient care,” he said.
The senior doctor said many interventions have helped patients as high end procedures are conducted in nursing homes and district hospitals reducing the waiting period with regard to surgical interventions.
“Our priority is to ensure the quality of life for patients undergoing complex surgeries, allowing them to live with care and mobility. That is our success,” he said.
The department wants to improve outcomes of patients with regard to surgery and any new developments like introduction of surgical robotics would be a welcome step.
“I am sure that if the government is apprised of the requirement in a detailed manner they would definitely provide a surgical robot to our surgical departments which would help us in improving the patient outcome,” Dr Saleem said.
He said collaborations in the form of CME’s, CSEP, live operative workshops, skills enhancement programs, conferences etc. are routinely taken up by the department with nearly all the topmost hospitals and medical colleges of the country and abroad.
“We have been following the simple rule that cancer patients deserve top priority followed by highly morbid (obese) patients and so on. We try our best to keep the waiting period of surgeries to the minimum and sometimes struggle to keep everyone happy,” Dr Saleem said.
The Head of Surgery thanked the government for providing timely funds and help in procuring the latest surgical equipment.
Post formation of Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporate Ltd. (JKMSCL), the procurement process has become a bit time consuming due to paperwork involved, even as JKMSCL officials help get things done on priority.
“We request the government to simplify procurement and provide more funds to hospitals for procuring equipment. Our young surgeons are choosing to come back to their roots to serve their own people. The logistic side of things needs to be taken care of by the government at a war footing, as we are in no dearth of talent and application at doctors’ end,” he added.