Advanced MRD section, VRDL facility inaugurated at GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Nov 27: A state-of-the-art Medical Records Section (MRD) and Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) was inaugurated at Government Medical College (GMC) and its associated hospital on Wednesday.

The deputy commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, formally launched these facilities.

He was accompanied by Prof (Dr) Ruby Reshi, Principal and Dean Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, Dr Parvaiz Masoodi Medical Superintendent Associated Hospital, GMC Baramulla, Dr Junaid Ahmad Associate Professor and Head Department of Microbiology, GMC Baramulla, HODs from clinical and non-clinical Departments and other faculty and staff.

The MRD section, constructed with joint funding from the Aspirational District Award and GMC’s Capex budget, will streamline healthcare workflows by serving as a centralised repository for patient records.

Located outside the Associated Hospital, it comprises ten counters for online and offline OPD tickets, payments, blood collection, and other services, ensuring efficient management and reduced congestion within the hospital.

Principal and Dean of GMC Baramulla, Prof (Dr) Ruby Reshi, on this occasion said, “The new facility will have a transformative impact , which combines modern technology and professional expertise to enhance patient care, simplify record management, and offer researchers easy access to valuable data.”

She said, “The Medical Records Section will serve as a centralised repository for patient records, ensuring easy access and confidentiality. This will streamline clinical workflows, improve patient care, and its location just outside the associated hospital will also decongest the hospital corridors.”

The VRDL, as per GMC authorities, is funded by the Department of Health Research (DHR-ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and is important in disease surveillance and research.

Equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, the lab offers free ELISA-based diagnostic services for viral infections, including Hepatitis A, B, C, and E, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes viruses.

On this occasion, the Medical Superintendent of the Associated Hospital, GMC Baramulla, Dr Parvaiz Masoodi, highlighted the laboratory’s role in enhancing diagnostic capacity, improving outbreak response, and fostering groundbreaking research on “emerging and re-emerging viruses.”

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, commended the officials of the GMC Baramulla for their commitment to improving healthcare in Baramulla and its neighbouring districts.

“It is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of GMC Baramulla. The new facilities will be a catalyst in promoting efficient healthcare delivery and research in north Kashmir,” said Deputy Commissioner Baramulla.