Visit of the Hon’ble Lt Governor, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir Government SMHS Hospital, GMC, Srinagar

Today on 8th of August 2020, the Hon’ble Lt Governor, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir paid a visit to the Government SMHS Hospital, GMC, Srinagar with a view to take the stock of the facilities put in place to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hon’ble Lt Governor was accompanied by the Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner H&ME, Director General of Police, Divisional Commissioner, Dy. Commissioner Srinagar and other officers.

The Principal/Dean, GMC, Srinagar apprised the Hon’ble LG regarding the facilities provided to the patients admitted in the covid designated wards of Government SMHS Hospital, Government CD Hospital, Government Kashmir Nursing Home and designated isolation facilities in other Associated Hospitals of GMC Srinagar.

The Principal/Dean, (Dr. Samia Rashid) apprised the dignitaries that Government Medical College, Srinagar established Covid-19 testing at BSL3 Lab in Microbiology Department at CD Hospital Srinagar. The lab became functional from 14

th 

of March 2020 and is working on 24x7 basis. Till date(08

th 

of August 2020) 92000 tests have been conducted out of which 85153 were negative and 6847 were positive. The lab caters to all the Associated Hospitals and field area as notified by the administration. The Lab in GMC is VRDL lab and the same is supported by ICMR and have to undergo regular EQAS by State VRDL for quality assurance.

With the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, Govt Chest Disease Hospital, Srinagar and Kashmir Nursing Home were designated as full fledged Covid-19 Hospitals. 92 beds of Chest Disease Hospital were dedicated to the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Virology Department of Microbiology, GMC, Srinagar was stationed in Chest Disease Hospital and advised to go for diagnosis of Covid-19 on war footings. Necessary infrastructure needed to tackle Covid-19 disease was installed at a quick pace in Chest Disease Hospital which including:-

  1. New oxygen concentrator plant of 500 LPM Capacity for an estimated cost of Rs. 120.00 Lacs
  2. ICU and HDU facility wards were equipped with invasive ventilators, Non-Invasive ventilators, High Flow Oxygen delivery devices, High End Critical Care Monitors, Latest Hydraulic ICU Beds, Blood Gas Analysers, Suction Devices, etc.
  3. Critical Care Monitors in all rest of the wards.
  4. Latest Biochemistry Analyser for Covid-19 blood investigations.
  5. Constant delivery of good PPE Kits was ensured to all the Health Care Workers working in the Chest Disease Hospital.

Up till now nearly 800 covid positive patients have been admitted in Chest Disease Hospital with 690 recovered after treatment. 45 patients were intubated and put on mechanical ventilation in ICU. Currently 90 patients are undergoing treatment in this Hospital. In Kashmir Nursing Home, 50 beds were made operational with requisite facilities for Covid-19 patients. An operational theatre for surgical investigation of Covid-19 patients is being made functional with the required infrastructure.

Department of Biochemistry started COV-2 IgG on 11

th 

of June 2020 till date 6424 Anti body tests have been conducted out of which 489 have tested positive.

In addition to the above, the college has also placed an order for the procurement of High End Cobas 6800 Machine of fast track basis for Covid-19 testing involving funds to the tune of Rs. 4.30 crores, for installation in Government Medical College Srinagar as per recommendation by ICMR New Delhi. The said machine shall also perform 1400 tests per day, thus augmenting testing capacity in the Union Territory. The college Authority has also procured the Covid-19 related items at an amount of Rs. 20.00 crores approximately, utilized in all Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College, Srinagar, for efficient management of COVID19.

In the Associated Hospitals, isolation wards have been created and equipped with necessary logistics. In view of the increasing number of Covid-19 patients, ward 1,2,3,4 and 17, 18,19,20 of SMHS Hospital has been designated as Covid-19 specific wards. And also surgical ICU 10 beds have been converted into Covid-19 ICU. In SMHS 395 Covid-19 patients were admitted, out of which 158 got recovered an 82 are undergoing treatment as on date.

In LD Hospital, the entire Sarai outside the Hospital building having 15 beds has been converted into Covid susptect area. 01 theatre and 01 labour room for pregnant women have been designated for Covid-19 (Pregnanat women). The physical statistics are as under:-

Covid Suspected patients admitted

Surgery performed (LS)

Major Surgeries (LEP)

Delivery

DNS

325

93

50

84

12

     In GB Panth Hospital, 50 isolation beds have been created for covid suspected patients.

In Associated Hospitals of GMC Srinagar 191 ventilators have been added to the already existing ventilator support.

Apart from this, other associated hospitals of GMC Srinagar viz; Bone and Joint Hospital, Psychiatric Disease Hospital are also extending their facilities in the larger interest of public. Also services are extended up to community health centre level through the Social and Preventive Medicine Department of GMC that provide their services in terms of patient management and public awareness up to door step levels. The chair was apprised that though the Department is facing dearth in terms of man power, however every effort is put forth to overcome the deficiency and cater to patient demands. It was further apprised that O2 demand has increased considerably in view of surge in covid positive cases. However, administration is exploring every possibility to suffice the demand. Besides, to overcome the deficiency in terms of required manpower, vacant posts are advertised and process initiated on fast track basis to mitigate the dearth.

The Hon’ble LG expressed his satisfaction on the preparedness of the hospitals while dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and appreciated the Principal/Dean, GMC Srinagar for her tireless efforts to keep the facilities available to the patients under prevalent circumstances.

The Hon’ble LG made a thorough round of all patient care areas of SMHS Hospital and passed on spot directions with regard to providing every comfort to in and out patients and assured Governments fullest support and resolve in terms of man power and infrastructure augmentation