In an exclusive interview with the Morning Kashmir, he talks to Mufferah Majeed Khuroo
The Associated Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has emerged as a leading healthcare facility, serving the medical needs of a growing population in the region. With a rich history of growth and development, the hospital has evolved from a small state hospital to a significant healthcare institution, providing a wide range of facilities and services to the community.
The hospital witnessed another significant transformation in 2013, when it shifted to a new campus at Kantibagh Baramulla. This relocation provided an increased capacity of 300 beds, enabling GMC Baramulla to better serve the community’s medical requirements.
In response to Mufferah Majeed Khuroo’s concerns about the overcrowding in the hospital and the difficulties faced by patients,Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, Medical Superintendent of GMC Baramulla, highlighted the hospital’s commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services.
Despite a daily footfall of approximately 2500–3000 visitors and an overall footfall of 10,000, GMC Baramulla strives to meet the medical needs of the vast population of 30 lakhs from the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora. To address the rush at the ticket counter, the hospital approached the administration, and Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar, the DC of Baramulla, approved an aspiration district fund of 35 lakhs for the relocation of the Medical Records Department (MRD) section outside the hospital building. The project has been assigned to the Roads and Buildings department, with tenders already awarded for construction. The new MRD section will accommodate 10 counters, washrooms, a night room, and sitting facilities, ensuring improved services for patients.
Dr. Parvaiz hopes that with the new MRD section, they will be able to cater to a significantly higher number of people, approximately 5000, and provide improved services to the patients, alleviating the congestion and difficulties currently experienced at the hospital’s ticket counter.
Mufferah Majeed: Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, I noticed there’s a significant problem with the washrooms in the hospital. People are waiting in long lines just to use them. It’s causing a lot of inconvenience to the patients.
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Yes, Mufferah, you’re absolutely right. The hospital administration is aware of this issue, and we’ve taken steps to address it. GMC Baramulla has awarded a contract worth 60 lakhs to the Roads and Buildings Department for the renovation of existing facilities. The current washrooms are not enough to handle the patient flow, and we need to improve the situation.
Mufferah Majeed: Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, I’ve been hearing from some patients that they face difficulties at night due to the non-availability of doctors. Is there a shortage of medical staff at night?
Dr. Parvaiz: I understand the concerns of the patients, but rest assured, we have measures in place to ensure medical coverage during the night hours. We have senior residents from each department who are available at night to attend to any medical emergencies. Additionally, our consultants are also on call and can be reached whenever their expertise is required.
Mufferah Majeed: Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, What about the challenges faced by GMC Baramulla in delivering healthcare to the community? Can you shed some light on this?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Sure. While GMC Baramulla is now associated with the hospital, it’s essential to understand that the buildings and infrastructure still belong to the district hospital of Baramulla. One of the major challenges we face is the limitation of space and staff. Despite these constraints, we are doing our best to provide essential healthcare services to the community.
Mufferah Majeed: Can you give a more detailed overview of some of the facilities and services offered at GMC Baramulla?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: At GMC Baramulla, one of our key initiatives is providing free treatment for pregnant women, ensuring that they receive proper care during their pregnancy journey. Additionally, we offer free food to patients during their stay in the hospital, easing their financial burden.
Mufferah Majeed: What departments are available at GMC Baramulla to cater to various medical conditions?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: We have a well-equipped hospital with departments like General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, and ENT, among others. These departments are staffed with experienced doctors and healthcare professionals to deliver quality medical care.
Mufferah Majeed: What about diagnostic and imaging services? Are they available around the clock?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Yes, we understand the importance of a timely and accurate diagnosis. Our Radiology department operates 24/7, offering essential diagnostic imaging services such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans.
Mufferah Majeed: That’s impressive. Are there other specialised services that the hospital provides?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Absolutely! Recently, we introduced dual-chamber pacemakers and blocks for cardiac patients, benefiting approximately 13 patients in the last six months. Additionally, we provide these specialised services without any charges under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, specifically the golden card. Our aim is to make quality healthcare accessible to all.
Mufferah Majeed: What about emergency services and critical care units?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: We have an ambulance service available 24/7 to cater to emergencies. Additionally, we have specialised units like the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), Nutrition and Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), and Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (ETAT) for paediatric emergencies. Our hospital is equipped to handle various critical situations.
Mufferah Majeed: Are there any other unique facilities or initiatives?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Yes, we offer advanced laparoscopic surgeries, dialysis services with eight machines available for free under the PMJAY scheme, and a subsidised shop called AMRIT, offering affordable medicines and reliable implants for treatment. We also have a dedicated Ayushman unit that provides alternative therapies like cupping, hijama, and steam therapy, with a separate OPD for those seeking these options.
Mufferah Majeed: It’s impressive to hear about the capacity of the labour room and the number of deliveries GMC Baramulla handles. Could you provide more details about the number of cases and referrals you receive?
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Our labour room consists of 16 tables, and we have been consistently exceeding our target. According to NHM, our target is 1800 deliveries per year, but we have managed to perform around 7000 deliveries in a year. At times, we have more than 50 patients in the labour room simultaneously, which reflects the high demand for our services.Managing this volume of cases requires a dedicated and skilled team. We have 36 nursing staff available in the labour room who work tirelessly to provide the best care to the expectant mothers.We do receive a considerable number of referral cases. For instance, in the last month, we had 191 normal delivery cases and 145 cases of LSCS (Lower Segment Caesarean Section) among the referrals. Last month, we conducted a total of 794 deliveries. Among these, 383 were normal deliveries, and 411 were LSCS cases.Referrals often occur when other healthcare facilities are not equipped to handle certain cases. One common reason for referrals is the non-availability of blood components, and as a licenced holder for the whole north Kashmir region, we provide blood to surrounding hospitals to support their patient care needs.
Mufferah Majeed: I truly appreciate your time and dedication, Dr. Parvaiz. It’s evident that GMC Baramulla is doing exceptional work in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi: Thank you, Mufferah. We will continue to work tirelessly to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our patients and the community at large. Your support and understanding are valuable to us.
