In a significant step for heart patients in South Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag is set to start operations of its Cath Lab next month. The facility will enhance cardiac care in the region by providing crucial diagnostic and treatment services.
Dr. Rukhsana Najeeb, Principal and Dean of GMC Anantnag, confirmed that the Cath Lab will be fully operational in the first week of March. Dr. Syed Maqbool, Assistant Professor of Cardiology, has been appointed as the in-charge of the Cardiology specialty at Mirza Afzal Beg Memorial (MABM) Hospital. Part of the hospital’s surgical casualty section will be used for cardiology-related procedures.
The institution has acquired a state-of-the-art Cath Lab system worth ₹20 crore. A team of experts will oversee its operations, with additional manpower and resources being arranged to ensure smooth functioning.
A Cath Lab is a specialized facility where minimally invasive tests and procedures are performed to diagnose and treat heart conditions. Until now, patients from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian had to travel to Srinagar for advanced cardiac care, often losing precious time. With this new setup, many lives can be saved, especially during the critical “golden hour” following a heart attack.
GMC Anantnag is the first among the newly established medical colleges in Jammu & Kashmir to introduce this service. The hospital aims to reduce referrals to Srinagar, easing the burden on existing healthcare facilities.
Dr. Showkat Shah, an interventional cardiologist at GMC Anantnag, highlighted the range of procedures the Cath Lab will offer, including coronary angiography, angioplasty, stent placement, heart valve treatments, and pacemaker implantations. These services will significantly improve emergency cardiac care and overall treatment accessibility for patients in South Kashmir.
With this development, GMC Anantnag joins SKIMS Soura and SMHS Hospital Srinagar as one of the few institutions in the valley equipped with a Cath Lab. Officials say this is part of a broader effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and offer specialized treatments closer to home.
