SRINAGAR: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Friday chaired a meeting with the team of experts in ophthalmic and retinal surgery from Mumbai, headed by Dr S Natarajan. A Padamshree awardee, Dr Natarajan is a renowned ophthalmic surgeon from Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, Mumbai.
The Chief Minister was told that the team of three doctors, which also comprised Dr Syed Asgar Hussain and Dr Marwah conducted a number of surgeries on the patients admitted with eye injuries at SMHS Hospital during last three days. The team exuded confidence and appreciation for the surgeries and treatment protocol undertaken by the faculty of Ophthalmology of SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.
The Chief Minister was informed that over last two weeks, 210 patients with eye related injuries were admitted to the SMHS hospital. 173 preliminary procedures/ surgeries have been carried out satisfactorily by the team of eye surgeons of the Hospital. Advanced surgeries have subsequently been, as per the treatment protocol and requirement, initiated. In total, 58 such surgeries have been carried out during the last few days, including 46 by the team lead by Dr Natarajan during the last three days. Dr Tariq Qureshi, HoD, Ophthalmology, GMC Srinagar informed that there are five functional operation theatres catering to eye surgeries alone in the hospital.
The Chief Minister enquired about the status of patients admitted and operated upon. It was informed that a number of patients are responding well to the treatment, while a few would not have favourable prognosis. It was, however, assured that best possible eye care treatment is being provided to all the patients.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts made by the doctors as well as conveyed gratitude to Dr Natarajan and his team for their work, and Borderless World Foundation (BWF) for their coordinating role in the process. She observed that the State Government is committed to provide all assistance to the patients and that whatever expert treatment is required shall be made available to them, including the need to take a patient outside the State for further treatment if so required.
Dr Natrajan observed that the facilities available at SMHS match the best anywhere in the country for eye care and expressed confidence that no patient of eye surgery would be required to be taken outside the State for treatment, since the best is already available here. He noted that, however, experts from outside the State can keep visiting for regular follow-up of such patients and to assist in any intervention, if needed.
The Chief Minister desired that the eye care facility at SMHS should be developed as a Centre of Excellence in Ophthalmology care by making further additions to the existing facilities. With a view to ensuring the above, she agreed to adding further high value equipment to this Centre, for which she advised the Principal, GMC, Srinagar to have a plan of action prepared and make a projection for funding with the State Government.
The Chief Minister directed the Department of Health and Medical Education to keep coordinating the visits of expert ophthalmologists and retinal specialists from AIIMS and Dr Natarajan’s team to the valley for better management and patient care.
Minister of State, Health and Medical Education, Ms Asiea Naqash, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Navin K Choudhary, Secretary, H&ME, Dr M K Bhandari, Principal, GMC, Srinagar, Dr Qaiser Ahmad, HoD, Ophthalmology, SMHS, Srinagar, Dr Tariq Qureshi, Mr Rishikesh from Borderless World Foundation among others were present during the interaction.
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