Electroconvulsive therapy for severe psychiatric illnesses made available at GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Dec 27: The Department of Psychiatry Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has started Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for patients with severe psychiatric illness.

ECT is an evidence based treatment known to have greater efficacy than psychotropic medications especially in treatment resistant cases.

Over the period of time ECT has undergone significant advances and is now given under general anesthesia.

On Tuesday, the first ECT session was conducted on an elderly female suffering from severe depression.

Speaking on the occasion, HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Dr Tajamul Hussain said that it is a significant milestone for the department and the Institution as GMC Baramulla is now among a few hospitals in J&K where ECT facilities are available.

He thanked HOD Anesthesia Dr Wasim Salman and the whole staff of the Anesthesia Department for their support and cooperation.

He also thanked Principal GMC Baramulla Prof. Majid Jehangir as well as Medical Superintendent Dr Parvaiz Masoodi for providing all the logistic support.

“This facility will be a big relief to patients especially from North Kashmir who otherwise had to travel long distances to Srinagar for the same,” said Dr Tajamul.