The Academic Committee of Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir in association with the J&K Association of Surgeons of India (JAKASI) organized one-day live operative workshop on Minimal Access for Maximum Success (MASCON-2017) at JLNM Hospital on Wednesday.Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat was chief guest and Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Ms. Asiea Naqash was guest of honor at the concluding ceremony.The objective of organizing this important interactive event was to update the knowledge of doctors in the field of laparoscopic surgeries by adopting latest techniques. More than 150 delegates (doctors) from across the Kashmir division, including SKIMS, GMC, SMGS and peripheral institutions participated in the workshop and shared their experience and ideas and deliberated on the issues related to the laparoscopic surgeries. During this brainstorming scientific session, the doctors also conducted seven live laparoscopic surgeries on the occasion.Prominent among those present at the concluding ceremony included, Director SKIMS, Prof. A.G. Ahanger, Secretary (Technical), Health & Medical Education, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Organizing Chairman, Academic Committee, Dr. H. Vaqar Ahmed and other Members of the organizing Committee including Dr. Akhter Ganai, Dr. Arshad Rashid, Dr. Nazir A Shahdad and senior faculties from SKIMs and GMC.
Congratulating the Organizing Committee for this useful informative event, Bali Bhagat said that such programmes are essential for updating the skills of doctors in the advancement of medical sciences. He said such programmes should be held on regular intervals so that the budding doctors get opportunities to interact with each other and learn new techniques and trends from their seniors which can help them to utilize the experience on ground. He stressed the need for a coordinated approach between various wings of the Health & Medical Education including, SKIMS for achieving common goal of providing quality healthcare to the patients of the State, especially during the critical times. He also stressed the need for holding special surgery camps with the involvement of senior faculties at the district and tehsil level to provide healthcare to the patients at their doorsteps. Such a mechanism can help saving lot of time and saving the poor patients from financial burden.Ms. Asiea Naqash aslo addressed and lauded the endeavor of the health department for improving the overall health scenario in Kashmir Valley, especially in the rural and far-off areas. She said the doctors have special responsibility to serve the mankind and they must make their utmost efforts to save the precious lives with their personal and dedicated spirit. She said Government was committed to upgrade the infrastructural facilities at all level and improving the work culture in institutes to ensure that the doctors and para-medics can perform their duties more efficiently.The Managing Committee also honored the Ministers and other dignitaries by presenting them mementoes.Later, the Ministers also dedicated the newly established exclusive Minimal Access Surgery Unit at JLNM Hospital to the hospital administration. This exclusive unit is equipped with all latest gadgets needed for conducting laparoscopic surgeries which is first of its kind in the State. This would help the doctors to conduct specialized surgeries in the JLNM Hospital.