On the night of 14th August, when every Indian was preparing for the celebration of
79th Independence day, a team of medical professionals in GMC was eagerly waiting to receive
a horde of ambulances arriving from Kishtwar carrying unfortunate victims who suffered not
only physical but mental injuries following a natural disaster of paramount proportions. As
soon as the ambulance sirens starting sounding in GMC Jammu emergency, the teams
became active. Without losing even a minute, the porters and helpers took the patient
trolleys to the triage room where the medical teams immediately started providing medical
support and treatment. There was no time to lose, split second decisions were taken. The
very sick were put on ventilators. Those requiring emergency surgeries were shifted to
operation theatres. Those with superficial injuries were given suitable treatment. Their
wounds cleaned and sutured carefully by trained staff. The nursing staff not only provided
excellent nursing care but also were sisters, mothers, friends of those who suffered mental
and physical trauma. Not only the patients were looked after, their accompanying family
members were too given tender care and emotional support by trained staff. Needless to say
everything was being closely monitored and done under the expert vision of Heads of
departments, Heads of units, Senior professors, GMC administration. The combined
teamwork of all including administration, doctors, nursing staff, technical staff, security staff,
sanitation staff, operation theatre staff ensured no life was lost due to any laxity. The core
treating departments like Orthopaedics, Anesthsia, Surgery were ably supported by others
like Neurosurgery, ENT, Dental, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Blood bank, Lab services and
others. Not to mention here, the medical engineering departments (mechanical, electrical,
civil) ensured seamless civic facilities despite challenges like incessant rains. The clock like
precision shown by GMC Jammu staff in providing medical management to the patients is an
example of highest professionalism.
There is no doubt that GMC Jammu has proven itself again and again as the leading
health provider of the region be it during Operation Sindoor, mass accidents, tragedies etc.
GMC Jammu’s expertise to handle such mass medical crises has set a shining example for one
and all in medical circles. The leading medical institutes of the region like PGI Chandigarh has
appreciated the work done by GMC Jammu’s medical team in handling such mass crises. The
Director PGI Chandigarh has applauded Principal GMC Jammu after seeing such spectacular
performance.
On 14th fateful night, GMC Jammu received 66 critical patients. On the same night,
around 25 major surgeries were performed thus saving precious lives. The medical care
continued on the following day too when more surgeries were performed. The un-tiring
efforts of GMC’s team has been applauded by all sections of society. The GMC team ensured
that there was no need to refer even a single patient to any other higher institute for want of
medical expertise. The GMC administration not only ensured highest quality medical care, but
also ensured clean and hygienic and friendly environment for patients and their
accompanying family members. There were many patients who were loaded with dust, mud
in addition to their injuries. The nursing staff did commendable efforts clean them up, gave
clean clothes, nursed their wounds and also gave them emotional support. There were many
who were brought alone, there were scared children, there were those who had lost their
dear ones. The nursing staff adopted them like their own. One could see a staff nursing
personally feeding a scared injured child, sponging a boy who was all covered in debris.
GMC Jammu salutes its real Heros be it doctors, nurses, technicians, engineers,
security, sanitation staff. They are the real role models of the society who deserve all respect
and adulations.
