Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, July 15: Aiming for effective patient care, the authorities at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag today directed the Heads of all Departments to run the OPDs at MMABM Associated Hospital twice a week with the presence of senior faculty members.
The directives, issued by the Principal of GMC Anantnag, came after routine visits to MMABM Associated Hospital revealed that the OPDs were being run only once a week, contrary to the norms followed by other Medical Colleges, particularly GMC Srinagar.
“During routine visits to MMABM Associated Hospital, GMC Anantnag, it has been observed that the OPDs are being run by each unit only once a week, causing great inconvenience to the patients,” reads an order issued by Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb.
The directives, aimed at improving patient care at the hospital, emphasized twice-a-week OPDs and the attendance of Heads of Units during these OPDs.
The concerned departments have been further instructed to submit a revised duty schedule/ roster by July 16, detailing the schedule for the two-day OPDs to enhance patient care.
The Principal, proactive in ensuring uninterrupted patient care soon after her appointment, has also barred Medical Officers (MOs)-doctors with only an MBBS degree-from running the OPDs.
The move ensures that patients are examined solely by consultants, with MOs working under the supervision of senior doctors. “No doctors without PG degrees shall run the OPDs independently,” the directives state.
To prevent any violation of set norms, the GMC authorities have directed the DEIC/ISM doctors to attend to patients strictly according to the existing District Early Intervention Centres (DEIC) guidelines.
“This order is issued as per the existing NMC guidelines for the smooth functioning of this medical college. Any deviation from this order shall invoke strict disciplinary action.”
Meanwhile, the authorities at GMC Anantnag, following earlier directions, today established two new registration counters at MMABM Hospital
These counters, officials said, will serve both OPD and IPD patients, making the registration process more convenient and efficient.
Medical Superintendent Associated Hospital, GMC Anantnag, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad Sherwani, provided details on the new counters, noting the resources, such as, manpower, logistics, and IT equipment, immediately made available by the Principal.
A GMC spokesperson told Excelsior that the general public and patients have appreciated the move to have more counters, aiming to make the registration process quicker and more convenient. “It will decrease the wait time and will ensure swift OPD registration.”