Anantnag: The Ophthalmology Department of Government Medical College Anantnag has achieved significant progress over the past three years, performing 7728 cataract surgeries and 1850 intravitreal injections between January 2023 and October 2025. Officials said these figures exclude trauma, lid, glaucoma, squint and retina procedures which totalled 1558 during the same period.
Associate Professor Dr Rayees Ahmad said the department’s achievements are in line with the National Programme for Control of Blindness as well as the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He added that GMC Anantnag caters to a large population from Anantnag and adjoining districts and has emerged as the first among the new medical colleges to introduce intravitreal injection services, reducing the need for patients to travel to Srinagar or outside the region.
Head of Department Dr Mohd Yousuf said the department remains committed to efficient patient care and robust academic training. He said the unit handles a substantial inflow of OPD and IPD patients and is functioning with two permanent faculty members, a consultant on deputation, a senior medical officer and resident staff. He added that postgraduate courses in ophthalmology are running smoothly with students from across India and that the department maintains an almost zero referral rate except for rare cases.
Officials said the department acknowledged the support of Principal Prof Dr Ruksana Najeeb for strengthening services, upgrading equipment and encouraging continuous improvements. They expressed hope that remaining requirements will also be met in the coming months. [KNT]
