Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 29: 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. 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.
She directed 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 Valley for better management and patient care.
Minister of State, Health and Medical Education, Asiea Naqash and senior officers were present on the occasion.