Bijbehara, Aug 20 (KNO): In a step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in south Kashmir, a state-of-the-art Modular Operation Theatre (OT) along with 10 ICU beds was inaugurated at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bijbehara on Wednesday.
With this addition, SDH Bijbehara has become the first hospital in the district to be equipped with a modular OT facility, a development that is expected to significantly enhance the quality of surgical care available to patients.
A modular OT is considered the gold standard in surgical setups, designed with specialized air filtration systems, controlled airflow, and advanced sterile environments to drastically reduce the risk of infections during surgeries. It also allows doctors to perform complex and emergency operations with greater precision, safety, and efficiency.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the inauguration marks a milestone for Bijbehara, which has long been in need of modern health facilities to cater to its growing patient load.
“The modular OT will bring a transformative change to surgical care in the region, ensuring that patients do not always need to travel to Srinagar or other districts for advanced procedures,” said one of the health officers.
Alongside the OT, 10 intensive care unit (ICU) beds have been made functional, providing critical care support to patients requiring round-the-clock monitoring and life-saving interventions. This is seen as a much-needed relief for locals, especially during emergencies.
The Gynaecology Department, which had been functioning from the old SDH building declared unsafe after the devastating 2014 floods, has now been shifted to the new block. The move will ensure safer, better-equipped facilities for maternity and women’s healthcare.
In addition, the dialysis unit at SDH Bijbehara has already completed 100 sessions, catering to patients not only from Anantnag but also from neighboring areas, reducing their dependency on far-off tertiary hospitals.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Bijbehara, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, welcomed the upgradation of facilities at the hospital, calling it a “major achievement” for the people of the area. “Facilities at SDH Bijbehara are being upgraded day by day, and in the coming time, it will be further developed to the level of a district hospital,” Veeri said, adding that the hospital’s reputation is growing steadily as patients from various parts of south Kashmir and even far-off places like Banihal and Ramban are seeking treatment there.
However, Veeri also voiced concern over the frequent and unnecessary transfer of doctors, which he said hampers the consistency of patient care. “Such transfers must be stopped at the earliest. I have already raised this issue with the Director of Health, and I hope corrective steps will be taken,” he remarked—(KNO)