RAMBAN, DECEMBER 10: District Hospital Ramban has successfully conducted its first two laparoscopic surgeries for ovarian dermoid cysts, marking a significant milestone for minimally invasive gynecological surgery in the region.
Ovarian dermoid cysts are typically benign ovarian tumours containing ectodermal tissues such as hair, nails, or teeth. These cases are conventionally managed by open abdominal surgery; however, the surgical team at District Hospital Ramban opted for a laparoscopic approach, thereby minimising surgical trauma, reducing operative time, and ensuring negligible blood loss.
Both patients underwent thorough pre-operative evaluation including imaging studies and ovarian tumour markers, which were suggestive of benign pathology. Following multidisciplinary consultation with the Gynecology Department, the patients were taken up for surgery and are recovering well post-operatively.
The procedures were performed by Dr Yassar Arafat (Operating Surgeon), with intra-operative support from Dr Raouf Zargar (Anaesthetist) and Dr Shabir Chambial (Gynecologist). The team was ably assisted by Zahoor, Reyaz, and other supporting staff members.
This achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing surgical care and providing modern, patient-friendly treatment options to the people of Ramban and adjoining areas.
Reviews healthcare facilities, medical supplies, patient care
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 08: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today carried out an extensive inspection of SMHS Hospital Srinagar, during which the Minister took comprehensive review of patient care services, infrastructure, availability of essential medicines and other facilities at the hospital.
During the visit, the Minister interacted with Principal, faculty members and medical staff to assess on-ground requirements and address concerns related to service delivery. She visited the emergency wing, OPD sections, diagnostic units, and in-patient wards, directing hospital authorities to ensure timely treatment, cleanliness, and streamlined patient flow.
The Minister also interacted with patients and their attendants and took feedback from them about the quality of medical care services being provided at the hospital.
While reviewing medicine stocks and pharmacy operations, the Minister emphasized the need for uninterrupted availability of essential drugs, diagnostics, and life-saving equipment. She instructed officials to strengthen supply chain monitoring and ensure that no patient faces any inconvenience.
The Minister further stressed on the importance of modernized facilities, proper equipment maintenance, and enhanced support services like sanitation and patient facilitation desks in view of winter months.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to improving public health services, the Minister said that periodic inspections would continue to ensure accountability and efficient functioning of hospitals. She appreciated the dedication of frontline medical staff and encouraged them to maintain high standards of care.
Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah; HoDs of various specialities, faculty members and other officers were also present during the visit of the Minister.
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 05: The Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and its associated hospitals (SMHS/SSH) and other partner facilities have successfully maintained uninterrupted diagnostic services over the past two days despite the scheduled shutdown of the MRI unit at Shireen Bagh.
During the 48 hour period, a total of 67 MRI scans and 220 CT scans were completed across the network, ensuring that patients who required imaging continued to receive care without delay.
The MRI at Shireen Bagh was taken offline on 4 December 2025 for an urgent de‑icing and repair procedure. A routine inspection had revealed ice buildup in the magnet’s venting system, which could have led to a helium leak and posed a safety risk to patients and staff. Prompt maintenance is essential to restore the unit to optimal performance and guarantee long‑term safety.
Logistic support, including patient transport and technical staff, was mobilised to move individuals whose scans were scheduled at Shireen Bagh to other GMC Srinagar facilities, allowing the workflow to continue smoothly.
The hospital administration thanks patients, staff, and partner institutions for their cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining seamless diagnostic services throughout the maintenance period and beyond.
Sopore: Indian Dental Association (IDA) branch Baramulla, in affiliation with Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India AOMSI, conducted an event under the project SANJEEVANI on February 11, 2024, in Sopore.
The topic of the event was “Management of Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice and Basic Life Support (BLS).”
On the occasion, Dr. Numair Farhan, M.D.S. (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon), deliberated on the topic and gave an exhaustive presentation, explaining the different aspects related to the topic in a lucid manner.
The organising committee, which included Prof. (Dr.) Habibullah Malik, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Shakeel, and Dr. Javid Ahmed Bhat, presented a memento and a certificate of honour to Dr. Numair Farhan.
BARAMULLA, JANUARY 04: In a historic moment for the Department of Orthopaedics at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, a pioneering AC Acromioclavicular Joint Shoulder Reconstruction with Hamstring Graft was successfully performed today.
Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Ishtiyaq Abdullah, the surgical team executed the intricate procedure without the use of any implant, setting a new standard in orthopedic surgery within the region.
The patient, diagnosed with a Type 3 right AC Joint dislocation, underwent an MRI evaluation and underwent the groundbreaking surgery at the Ortho Theatre GMC Baramulla. The procedure, conducted under the Aayushman Bharat scheme, utilized a bra-type incision, and the joint was meticulously reconstructed with a Hamstring Graft.
The success of this innovative surgery not only adds to the impressive medical achievements at GMC Baramulla but also highlights the institution’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art healthcare services to the community.
The entire Ortho team expressed gratitude to Principal GMC Baramulla Prof. Dr. Ruby Reshi and Medical Superintendent Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi for their unwavering support, making this advanced surgery a reality at GMC Baramulla.
This milestone reaffirms GMC Baramulla’s commitment to advancing healthcare standards and underscores the expertise and dedication of its medical professionals. The groundbreaking AC Joint reconstruction marks a significant leap forward in orthopedic surgery, showcasing the institution’s continuous pursuit of excellence.
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 20: Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society (JKACS) and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for starting free of cost HIV viral load testing of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar by utilizing the spare testing capacity of COBAS RT-PCR equipments for the quantitative HIV– 1 Viral Load Testing in the Department of Microbiology.
At present, the samples of PLHIV’s are being sent to Chandigarh for viral load testing. This in-house testing at SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar will reduce the turnaround time in the reporting of the final result which will help the clinicians to provide timely treatment to the PLHIV’s. A similar kind of MoU was signed between JKACS and GMC, Jammu few days back only and now with the signing of MOU with SKIMS the patients of J&K will be immensely benefited as such kind of facility in their own region will save a lot of time, effort and expenses.
The MOU was signed in presence of Professor Parvaiz A Koul, Director SKIMS and Ex–Officio Secretary to Government, Dr. Tabassum Jabeen, Director Family Welfare, J&K, Dr. Manu Bhatnagar, Additional Director, J&K AIDS Control Society, H&ME Department and Dr. Bashir Ahmad, HOD, Department of Microbiology, SKIMS, alongwith concerned officers from Department of Microbiology, SKIMS and J&K AIDS Control Society.
BARAMULLA, OCTOBER 19: An awareness programme on Breast Cancer was today organised at Government Medical College Baramulla, here.
The inaugural session was chaired by the Principal and Dean GMC Baramulla, Prof (DR) Ruby Reshi in presence of Dr. Nisar Ahmad Khan HoD medicine and Chairman Academics and Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital.
The awareness programme was attended by hundreds of people, employees from different departments of the district including Health services represented by scores of Asha workers from different blocks, teachers and lecturers from various colleges, Legal Aid cell, St Joseph Hospital, AMT Nursing college, Haneefa Nursing college Sopore, faculty, residents and nursing staff and students and other paramedical staff of the college.
Prof Maqbool Lone, while welcoming the guests stressed on the need of organizing more such programs on a regular basis to make people aware about the unnecessary stigma and fear associated with Breast cancer. He thanked the principal for support, encouragement and guidance and said that she has always been keen to upgrade and uplift the image of GMC and its associated hospital.
He also thanked the medical superintendent for his organizational support and skills.
Prof Ruby Reshi while expressing her happiness for organizing such events for the general public highlighted the achievements made by the Associated Hospital. She informed the audience that the clinic which we call ‘Pink Clinic’ has been dedicated to females only and stressed that females should come forward and get the consultation of specialist doctors.
She also mentioned about the ‘Superspeciality Clinic’ started by the college where only super specialists see the patients.
Prof Ruby Reshi also highlighted the activities performed by the department of Radiation Oncology and said that she is desirous of and will work for establishing a comprehensive cancer unit in the hospital.
In his speech, Dr Nisar Ahmad Khan gave a detailed account of various issues related to Breast cancer saying that breast cancer can be cured if detected early.
Medical Superintendent, Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Masoodi in his speech, talked about the achievements and progress made by the 300-bedded hospital associated with GMC Baramulla. He gave a detailed description of the achievements made by various departments of the hospital, saying that thousands of procedures including surgeries have been done which are more than the capacities we have.
Dr Shahida Nasreen, Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology gave a detailed account of the risk factors associated with breast cancer and explained how we can save our lives by simply adapting a healthy lifestyle.
Dr Baba Iqbal Khaliq, Associate professor Pathology gave a lecture on the methods and techniques of the diagnosis of breast cancer. He stressed on the need of the latest techniques in pathological diagnosis of breast cancer as these techniques not only help in diagnosis of the disease but also guide us about the treatment of the disease as well.
The event also included an impressive ‘Interactive session’ where the participants actively participated by asking questions to the experts. The experts satisfactorily answered their questions. The session proved to be very fruitful.
Complex Spine surgery successfully conducted at DH Kulgam
KULGAM, JUNE 28: Orthopaedics Department of District Hospital (DH) Kulgam successfully conducted spine surgery on a 30 year old male who had sustained spine trauma due to fall from height.
The patient had L1 bust fracture with bony fragments compressing the spinal cord. D12_L2 instrumented stabilization with decompression at L1 was done. The patient is recovering well after the surgery.
Under the Logistic support of Medical Superintendent, Dr Gulzar Ahmad; Consultant Orthopedics, Dr Towseef Ahmad Bhat conducted the surgery with able assistance by Dr Aabid Hussain and Dr Khursheed Ahmad.
Anesthesia team included Dr Anees, Dr Nuzhat and Dr Shafkat and support staff included Gh Mohi U Din, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Farooq Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad (c arm tech).
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today stressed on extending the facility of online appointments with doctors in the health institutions of J&K. He impressed on the health officers to work for making this service available to public within a month’s time.
Dr Mehta was speaking in the 12th Governing Body meeting of National Health Mission (NHM) attended by Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti; Commissioner Secretary, RDD; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare; Secretary, Health; MD, NHM; Principal, GMC Srinagar/Jammu; Director, MCH&I; Director Health, Kashmir/Jammu; Director, Ayush besides others.
Dr Mehta maintained that the prior online appointments to patients are given in many premier hospitals in the country and the Department needs to bring their own system in sync with that to make the process of visiting a Hospital easier. He told them to adopt the simplest and efficient system available.
Chief Secretary also enjoined upon the officers to digitize the patient history and other legacy data so that the same is accessible round the clock. He said that the convergence of data from Health Care Institutions, Anganwadi centres and Educational Institutions could make a database inclusive of all health details from birth till date for each person. He urged them to make it an objective to ensure 100% digitization of health records of all the individuals here in the UT.
On the occasion both the Secretary Health, Bhupinder Kumar and MD, NHM, Ayushi Sudan gave a detailed overview of the functioning of the Department especially the National Health Mission (NHM), J&K. It was given out that sufficient number of Critical Care Ambulances have been deployed across the health facilities of J&K and integrated with 108 call centre for providing 24×7 hassle-free services to people.
Moreover it was given out that the utilization of funds from the last 5 years from 2018-19 has seen progressive growth with each passing year. It was revealed that out of Rs 671.75 Cr amount of funds available in the year 2018-19, the percentage of utilization was 72%. The same increased to Rs 900.64 Cr in 2022-23 with percentage of utilization taking a quantum leap to reach 98.68% for the previous financial year.
The Governing Body discussed the proposals of the NHM to ratify State Programme Implementation Programme (SPIP) to the tune of Rs 1441.60 Cr for FY 2023-24, procurement of Covid essential Diagnostic & Drugs, Implementation of IT interventions like HMIS (e-SAHAJ) from District Hospitals and CHCs to Tertiary Care Hospitals. It also discussed maternity leave in favour of contractual female employees as per the existing labour laws and other HR related issues for making the functioning of the mission smooth and efficient.
SHOPIAN, MAY, 5: In a first, laparoscopic liver surgery of a 45 year old hypertensive female patient with radiologically diagnosed huge hydatid cyst of right lobe of liver was operated successfully at District Hospital Shopian
The surgery laparoscopic en-nucleation of hydatid cyst of Liver was performed under the meticulous expertise of laparoscopic surgeon Dr Seth Mujtaba and the anaesthesia team comprising of Dr Ajaz Wani and Dr Aatif Nabi Shah.
The paramedical staff assisting comprised of Mr Fayaz, Mr Ajaz, Miss Sameena, Mr Umar, Mr Nasir and Mr Gulzar.
It is pertinent to mention that laparoscopic hydatid cyst surgery is a procedure that is usually performed at tertiary care centers in view of the surgical expertise needed and high anaesthetic risk in view of potential anaphylaxis.
The team thanked Dr Rubina Maqbool, MS DH Shopian, for providing proper logistical support for the procedure. Dr Shafi, consultant surgeon, also played very crucial role.
