Kashmir Impulse Desk

Baramulla, April 8

A government hospital in north Kashmir has started emergency dialysis services, a move officials say will speed up treatment for critically ill patients and reduce the need for referrals to larger hospitals.

The facility has been set up at the associated hospital of GMC Baramulla, enabling patients with acute kidney conditions to receive urgent care locally instead of being sent to Srinagar.

Authorities said the initiative is aimed at improving outcomes in time-sensitive cases, where delays in dialysis or related procedures can be life-threatening.

The service was formalised after a multi-department meeting led by principal Majid Jahangir, involving specialists from general medicine, surgery, anaesthesia and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, along with the dialysis unit and administrators of the Ayushman Bharat program.

Until now, patients needing urgent dialysis or vascular access procedures were frequently referred to tertiary care centers in Srinagar, often resulting in critical delays.

“With the system now in place, patients arriving in emergency or admitted under medicine will be evaluated and stabilised, and then prioritised for dialysis based on clinical need,” said Parvaiz Masoodi, Medical Superintendent of the associated hospital.

Doctors said a coordinated workflow has been introduced to streamline care, including timely vascular access through catheter-based procedures. Officials added that essential consumables, including dialysis catheters, will be made available through government-backed programs and subsidised pharmacies to reduce financial barriers.

Hospital authorities said priority will be given to critically ill patients and first-time emergency dialysis cases, with procedures carried out the same day or soon after admission depending on urgency.

Medical staff said the new facility is expected to ease financial and logistical strain on patients and families while strengthening the hospital’s ability to manage life-threatening conditions within the district.