Indoor services begins at Bone & Joint Hospital
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU, Nov 21
The Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu has introduced In-Patient Department (Indoor) services at the newly constructed Bone and Joint Hospital in Maheshpura, in front of GMC Jammu. This development marks a significant step in the expansion of healthcare facilities in the region, providing improved access to medical services for the residents.
In the first phase of this initiative, one ward with a capacity of 90 beds has been established at the hospital. In total, the hospital boasts 182 beds, which will serve the medical needs of the community effectively. It is anticipated that elective (general) surgeries will commence in December, further enhancing the range of medical services available.
Earlier, patients requiring medical attention were often redirected to GMC Jammu due to the absence of indoor facilities at the Bone and Joint Hospital. However, with the introduction of indoor services, the load on GMC Jammu for orthopedic cases is expected to decrease, allowing the hospital to better focus on treating other medical conditions.
As part of the plan, the first phase will see the recruitment of staff to manage approximately 30 to 40 beds systematically. This expansion of indoor services is aligned with the broader vision of providing comprehensive orthopedic care within the region. Trauma and emergency cases will continue to be managed at GMC Jammu for the time being. Furthermore, various orthopedic surgeries are already being conducted at GMC Jammu.
The Bone and Joint Hospital now boasts nearly seven operational operation theaters, making it possible to commence surgical services within the next one and a half months. The hospital comprises five general operation theaters and two day-care operation theaters.
While the hospital awaits approval for the recruitment of 368 staff positions, the GMC administration is making arrangements to utilize the staff from the orthopedic and other departments to facilitate the commencement of outpatient department (OPD) and indoor services. The installation of an elevator is also in progress to provide better access to the indoor ward, which is situated on the first floor.
In addition to these developments, the GMC in Gandhi Nagar is expanding its Gynecology unit this month. Approximately 100 beds will be added to accommodate gynecological cases, ensuring that most childbirth cases will be managed within the hospital premises.
The existing HOD of the Gynecology department at GMC Gandhi Nagar has been deployed to oversee the relevant SRO for the recruitment of additional staff. This expansion aims to benefit the thousands of residents in the Gandhi Nagar area.
As the load of childbirth cases shifts to the Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, GMC Jammu, which currently manages around 70 to 80 cases per day, the medical community eagerly anticipates these advancements in healthcare infrastructure, ultimately improving access to medical care for the local population.
