On the 11th of August, it was announced that the Government Medical College (GMC) in Baramulla has become a major cancer treatment facility for the people of north Kashmir.
Since the Oncology Department opened three years ago, patients no longer had to make the long journey to the tertiary care institutions in Srinagar for treatment.
The Oncology Department at GMC Baramulla has a specialised Out-Patient Department (OPD) six days a week, helping people with cancer get the treatment they need.
This effort has arisen as a viable substitute, sparing patients the ordeal of travelling to Srinagar for treatment or palliative care.
Since opening, the department has treated a sizable number of people from Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora, the three districts that make up north Kashmir.
Over the previous three years, the hospital has treated 173 patients with cancer, providing them with chemotherapy and palliative care management.
52 patients were treated in 2021, 76 in 2022, and 45 so far this year, providing a clear picture of the department’s good effect.
In an interview with Greater Kashmir, Professor Muhammad Maqbool, Head of the Department of Radio Oncology at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Baramulla, emphasised that patients get comprehensive care.
Medicines and other health services are available to people here. The number of patients is likewise growing steadily. He said, “We have a trained staff here that also takes care of palliative cases.”
Remarkably, 1016 patient follow-up meetings have been held at the hospital throughout this time, guaranteeing thorough treatment.
The medical team’s dedication was on full display as they delivered 261 rounds of chemotherapy and oversaw 19 palliative care patients.
A cancer diagnosis for Muhammad Akram’s father in 2022 prompted him to express thanks for the new centre.
He said the chemotherapy treatments at the GMC Baramulla have been a lifeline for many people battling cancer and their loved ones.
“The facility has not only saved time but also alleviated the mental anguish that often accompanies cancer treatment,” stated Akram.
Although having this division has been helpful, cancer patients still worry about the lack of services like radiotherapy.
The fact that patients still have to go to Srinagar for radiation shows there is room for development in this sector.
Additionally, the hospital’s infrastructure must be improved so that the department can treat the increasing number of patients that go from north Kashmir.
Two registered nurses, a professor, and several teachers make up the department’s staff.
The team’s work has shown the hospital’s dedication to better serving the community via healthcare.
Following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the hospital and the J&K government, the facility is also partnering with the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
Equipment, patient care support, and staff training are all provided by Tata Memorial Hospital for use by GMC Baramulla.
The hospital recently hosted a webinar with the British Kashmiri Medical Association, where foreign experts discussed palliative care management in an effort to broaden the institution’s knowledge base.
Members of the department’s personnel praised the webinar as a valuable educational opportunity and voiced their desire to participate in future events of a similar kind.
For cancer patients in north Kashmir, the department represents a beacon of hope and development.
Patients and their loved ones have benefited greatly from this all-encompassing method of care, which is a promising step forward in enhancing healthcare delivery and results in the area.
Patients have high hopes on the Oncology department, according to Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, medical superintendent of GMC Baramulla Associated Hospital, who spoke with Greater Kashmir.
The situation has been brought to the attention of the higher authorities, and the department will shortly begin offering Radio Oncology as well. A distinct structure for the division is also needed, and it will be taken care of soon,” he promised.
