Pacemaker implantation begins at GMC Anantnag, 2 surgeries conducted

Srinagar, 24 July: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has successfully performed two dual chamber pacemaker implantation surgeries which are the first of its kind in south Kashmir, officials said.
The surgeries were conducted on two patients aged 62 and 60 having comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension with serious conduction defects and recurrent loss of consciousness.
Doctors said the cardiology team from the Department of Medicine was led by senior consultants Dr Shameem Iqbal and Dr Showkat H shah, Registrar, Dr Bilal Ganie with full support from the anesthesia department, theatre technical and nursing staff.
The surgeries were conducted in the Ortho theatre and lasted for 3 hours. Officials said the patients are doing well after the procedures and are being discharged.
Principal GMC, Anantnag, Dr (Prof.) Tariq Syed Qureshi has congratulated the team of doctors and said the facility will be beneficial for the people of South Kashmir particularly senior citizens who otherwise had to travel to Srinagar or outside for pacemaker implants.
The two procedures were done free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Medical Superintendent, Dr Aubid H Malik said the management will always provide logistic support so that such procedures become routine in the hospital.
HoD Medicine, Dr Ghulam Jeelani Romshoo said the college’s Medicine Department is already performing non-invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures like Echocardiography and TMT routinely on daily basis and this new invasive cardiac facility is a landmark milestone and will be a boon to the health care facility in south Kashmir.
“The department is determined to perform such advanced procedures on a routine basis with the advent of a cath lab facility which is under procurement process,” he said.