Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 5: Round-the-clock Orthopaedic Clinics, started by the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) in five Kashmir hospitals soon after the Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla was gutted in a massive blaze has turned out to be a grand success.
In this regard, the numbers that have been shared with Excelsior reveal that since the start of these clinics in five hospitals which includes Sub District Hospital, Sopore, District Hospital Kulgam, District Hospital Kupwara, District Hospital Pulwama and JLNM Hospital in Rainawari, a total of over 18000 patients have been received in the OPDs, over 300 in IPDs even as over 1100 surgeries, including over 100 major surgeries, were also conducted across Orthopaedic Clinics.
As per details, in slightly over a month, 4300 patients were received at Sub District Hospital, Sopore’s Orthopaedic OPD, 55 in IPD, while 25 major surgeries along with 55 minor surgeries were also conducted.
At DH Kulgam, 3250 patients were received in the OPD, 50 in IPD, while 33 major surgeries along with 50 minor surgeries were also conducted.
Similarly, at DH Kupwara, 3200 patients were received in the OPD, 75 in IPD, while 12 major surgeries along with 520 minor surgeries were carried out.
At DH Pulwama, so far, 4106 patients were received in the OPD, 41 in the IPD while 31 major surgeries—including one spine surgery—along with 370 minor surgeries have been conducted while at JLNM Hospital, 3357 patients were received in the OPD, 80 in IPD while as 27 major surgeries along with 30 minor surgeries were also conducted.
Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather told Excelsior that when the fire gutted the Bone & Joint Hospital, the Government was making sure that the patient care does not suffer and the directions of the Additional Chief Secretary H&ME were that the Health Department should take the burden.
“We then devised a strategy immediately and it was decided that 24×7 orthopaedic services would be started at five hospitals. We appointed a nodal officer, carried out the pooling of the necessary staff and the services were immediately started,” he said.
He said that it is there for everyone to see as the initiative has been a great success. “It might be the precursor for starting such services in other departments as well,” he said.
Dr Mir Mushtaq who is the spokesperson of DHSK as well as the Nodal Officer of Orthopaedic Clinics set up in 5 hospitals said that setting up these clinics was a good initiative and that the DHSK took a proactive approach soon after the fire incident at B&J.
“The DHSK took the necessary steps in this regard which has helped people a lot. You know, more than 1100 surgeries shave been carried out in these hospitals which has greatly decreased the burden on the B&J hospital,” he said, adding they are confident that they can run such services in the peripheral institutions now.
Dr Amir, one of the orthopedicians working in an Orthopaedic Clinic said that the start of these clinics has given the doctors a new lease of life as they are now able to work exclusively in their department.
“Being an orthopediacian, I was working as a medical officer till date, now we are working the department where we are trained; it is not only beneficial for the people only, but the same has helped doctors as well,” he said.
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