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After a decade, Bone and Joint Hospital revived with a new building

Srinagar, Jul 15: Over a decade since the devastating floods of 2014 rendered a major part of the Bone and Joint Hospital here 'unsafe', the new building funded by World Bank as part of Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project was inaugurated today by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The new hospital building is expected to alleviate the inconveniences faced by patients and doctors at the congested, dilapidated existing structures. The new state-of-art building is a G+5 structure with modular operation theatres that was set to be completed in 2020, however, it suffered multiple deadline lapses. The new OTS are expected to bring down the waiting period for surgeries, which currently runs into months. In addition, it has a laminar flow system and a TSSU (Theatre Sterile Supply Unit)for better infection control. In addition, an advanced ICU, Pre & Post Operation care wards, CSSD (Central Sterile Supply Department), specialised laundry, pneumatic tube system, and a waste collection system make this one of the finest hospital buildings in Kashmir at present. The addition of 120 beds is also expected to provide acceptable space for admitting patients from across the Valley and beyond. The hospital, in the absence of adequate wards and beds, was forced to add beds in the corridors to cater to the load of patients. The Bone and Joint Hospital suffered extensive damage in 2014 floods, rendering a major portion of the hospital "unsafe" as per the Roads and Building Department assessment. The hospital was further devastated in 2022, after a fire broke out, damaging Operation Theatres and other parts. Being the only Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Kashmir, it is the cornerstone of trauma and other orthopedic ailments. The CM acknowledged the requirement of additional staff to run the additional 120-beds of the hospital and promised fast-track creation and filling of posts. He directed Minister for health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo to submit the proposal for recruitment of staff "at the earliest". The CM recalled the "times" the hospital has seen over the years. "This hospital has seen the ups and downs of the situation in Kashmir," while referring to the number of people who have been treated for trauma and injuries over the "35 years". He said the hospital has catered to healthcare needs arising out of road accidents and disasters. "And when the flood hit, the first hospital to get marooned was B&J Hospital," he said. He recalled how he and his colleagues tried to stop water from entering the hospital. "However, even after the floods, the hospital did not stop functioning," he said, much to the applause of the audience that comprised medical practitioners, and hospital administrators, in addition to locals from the area and Government officials. The CM commended the hospital staff for starting to function "just a few days after the devastating fire of 2022". "They did not have a roof over their heads, but they resumed patient services," he said. The CM underlined the importance of focusing on health and education for developing J&K. "Our focus is on improving education and healthcare delivery through infrastructure and human resource investment," he said.

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