Hajin, Feb 17: In its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in health, Well Care Medical Institute performed its first gastrectomy.
A 61 year old female patient from south Kashmir was diagnosed as a case of cancer esophagus (extending up to 30 cm) in October 2023. The patient was taken for oesophago gastrectomy on 7 February. The histopathology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. The operation was performed by Dr (Prof) Khursheed Alam along with theatre assistants Shahid Ali Mir, Shah Mohsin and Suhail Hashmi.The anaesthesia team comprising senior consultant anaesthesia was supported by Anaesthesia assistants Danish Sofi, Suhail Ahmad and Ishrat.
The post operative period of the patient remained uneventful and was discharged 5 days after surgery in a healthy condition.
Dr (Professor) Khursheed Alam, who has been a head of department and pioneer in shaping the department of general surgery at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) said, “Gastric cancer has been reported to be a highly prevalent malignancy in Kashmir, where together with esophageal cancer it accounts for more than 60% of all cancers, much higher than in other parts of the northern India”.
He further said, “Particular lifestyle habits like consumption of salted tea and tobacco smoking by hookah (smoking pot), as well as Helicobacter pylori infection are among the most common risk factors”.
Dr Masood-ul-Hassan, Medical Director Wellcare appreciated the whole team and said, “Cancer is among the third causative factors for mortality among non-communicable diseases in India and is spreading rapidly. We need to be ready for dealing with this demon by providing surgical and medical(chemotherapy) facilities to our patients”.
He added, “We are committed to providing the best facilities for cancer treatment. Our hospital provides both surgical facilities and chemotherapy to cancer patients. The chemotherapy is provided free of charge to patients under the Ayushmaan Bharat scheme”.