Srinagar, Nov 02 (KNO): Residents of North Kashmir continue to face difficulties in accessing advanced diagnostic and cardiac care at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla due to the absence of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility and a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath lab).
A group of people told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that patients have to travel to Srinagar for specialised investigations and treatment. “The absence of these essential facilities at a major government healthcare institution is causing immense hardships to patients, particularly those suffering from serious illnesses, who require timely diagnosis, specialised cardiac procedures and regular medical follow-ups,” they added.
Residents said that patients from Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts often have to travel long distances to undergo MRI scans or seek specialised cardiac interventions that are not available at GMC Baramulla.
They said the additional travel not only increases the financial burden on patients and their attendants but also causes inconvenience to those who are already dealing with serious health conditions.
“People come to GMC Baramulla with the hope of receiving treatment close to their homes, but return disappointed,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident.
Another resident said: “Cardiac patients often need immediate medical attention and patients lose the golden period while travelling to Srinagar. Travelling for specialised treatment becomes stressful for both patients and their families. A Cath lab at GMC Baramulla can provide much-needed relief to people across North Kashmir.”
Residents said that elderly patients and those from economically weaker sections were among the worst affected.
They urged the authorities to expedite the establishment of both facilities at GMC Baramulla, saying that strengthening specialised healthcare services at the institution would reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the region.
MRI ORDERED, CATH LAB UNDER TENDERING PROCESS: PRINCIPAL
Principal GMC Baramulla, Majid Jahangir told KNO that the process for establishing the MRI facility had been initiated, but the machine has not yet been received. “The MRI machine has been ordered through the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL), but it has not been received yet,” he said.
Regarding the Cath lab, Jahangir said the project was currently at the tendering stage through JKMSCL.
He said the establishment of these facilities would help strengthen specialised healthcare services at the medical college.
Meanwhile, residents urged the concerned authorities to ensure that the procurement and installation processes are completed at the earliest so that patients from North Kashmir can access advanced diagnostic and cardiac services closer to home.
They said that while the initiation of the procurement process was encouraging, the facilities needed to become operational without unnecessary delays to provide tangible relief to patients—(KNO)