Relief for patients as non-operational TMT services resume at GMC Anantnag

Anantnag, Feb 11: Patients at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag can finally undergo critical cardiac evaluations as the long-idle Treadmill Test (TMT) machine has been made operational once again.

The restoration of this essential service comes as a major relief, particularly for those vulnerable to heart-related conditions. For the past eight months, the absence of a functional TMT machine had compromised the timely diagnosis and management of cardiac ailments, forcing patients to rely on private facilities. Greater Kashmir had carried a detailed report on the issue.

“TMT services at GMC Anantnag, which had been at a standstill for the last eight months, have been restarted today,” an official said.

He said that in addition to restoring the existing machine, a new advanced TMT machine—Schiller 320 has been installed to enhance the capabilities of the cardiology department. The installation was inaugurated by Principal and Dean of GMC Anantnag, Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb.

Senior Interventional Cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool credited the Principal for playing a pivotal role in resuming these much-needed services. “With the addition of the high-end Schiller 320 machine, the facility can now accommodate two patients simultaneously for testing, reducing wait times and improving efficiency,” he said.

Dr Shamim Iqbal, another senior interventional  cardiologist, stressed on the significance of TMT, describing it as a simple yet vital test for diagnosing coronary artery disease, one of the world’s leading causes of death. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Showkat Hussain Shah emphasized on the importance of early detection. “Anyone experiencing chest pain on exertion, particularly those with risk factors, should undergo a TMT to determine whether they require an angiography,” he said.