Experts at GMC Anantnag seek more anesthetists to strengthen critical care

Anantnag, Oct 16: On the occasion of World Anesthesia Day, experts at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag emphasized the urgent need for additional anesthetists to enhance critical care services at the hospital.

“We need more anesthetists to ensure our Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) operates round the clock and to initiate a Surgical ICU,” Dr Rukhsana Jabeen, Principal of GMC Anantnag, told Greater Kashmir.

Currently, patients requiring life support at the hospital are suffering due to a lack of adequately trained personnel. While the hospital has a 10-bed Medical ICU, there is no dedicated Surgical ICU.

Presently, 14 specialist anesthetists manage the operations of both GMC and its associated Maternity and Childcare Hospital (MCCH). This team includes four senior doctors—professors, associate professors, assistant professors—and ten senior residents.

Dr Jabeen, herself a professor of anesthesiology, assured that efforts are underway to provide intensive care services for critically ill patients at GMC Anantnag in the near future. “We are also working towards introducing MD/MS courses to elevate the college to the level of other prestigious medical institutions,” she added.

The World Anesthesia Day celebrations included a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event on the theme "Anesthesia in Modern Perspective." The event was attended by professors, department heads, faculty members, administrative officials, students, and guest faculty from other medical colleges.

The event’s Chief Guest, Prof. Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, highlighted the indispensable role anesthetists play in modern medical care. "Behind every successful surgery stands an anesthetist. Their role is no longer unsung but well-established in both major and minor surgeries,” she said.

Dr Najeeb also emphasized the importance of anesthetists in procedures ranging from intubation to resuscitation and electroconvulsive therapy. Dr Waseem Salman, Head of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at GMC Baramula, was the Guest of Honor.

Other speakers at the CME included Dr Mohd Ashraf Teli, Professor of Radiation Oncology; Dr Zafar Iqbal, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology; Dr Shayesta Ali, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology; Dr Riyaz Malik, Consultant Anesthesiology; Dr Khalida Mushtaq, Consultant Anesthesiology; Junaid Ahmad Dar, Consultant Anesthesiology; and Dr Junaid Jeelani, Senior Resident in Anesthesiology, who discussed various scientific aspects of anesthesia.

Certificates of appreciation were distributed to dedicated doctors and support staff for their outstanding contributions to patient care and academics. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Anjum Shamim, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Anesthesiology at GMC Anantnag. Dr Showkat Hussain Tali, Head of Pediatrics, joined Dr Shamim in delivering the vote of thanks.

The event was compered by Dr Andleeb Fazal and Dr Mehak Shabir, both DNB Anesthesiology residents at GMC Anantnag.