PADUM: The Community Health Centre (CHC) Padum has sought the early posting of a dedicated Anaesthetist after a specialist anaesthesia team visited the facility to assess the preparedness of its Operation Theatre (OT) and allied infrastructure for emergency surgical care.
The team, led by Dr Asif, Anaesthetist, inspected the OT infrastructure and equipment, including the anaesthesia machine, patient monitoring systems, emergency drugs and surgical instruments, as part of an assessment of the facility’s operational preparedness and safety.
The assessment assumes importance for Zanskar, where patients requiring specialised or emergency treatment can face difficulties in accessing healthcare services outside the remote region. Health officials said the availability of an Anaesthetist would allow the existing OT infrastructure and specialist services to be utilised more effectively for emergency surgical procedures and timely critical care.
CHC Padum currently has a Gynaecologist and an Orthopaedic Surgeon posted at the facility, giving it specialist capacity to manage emergency obstetric and trauma cases locally. However, officials said the absence of a dedicated Anaesthetist remains a major constraint in making full use of the available surgical infrastructure and specialist manpower.
The local administration and health staff have urged the concerned authorities to consider the early posting of an Anaesthetist at CHC Padum, stating that the specialist would strengthen the facility’s ability to undertake emergency procedures and reduce delays associated with referrals during critical cases.
Officials and health staff at the CHC expressed appreciation to the Chief Medical Officer, Kargil, for deputing the anaesthesia team to Zanskar. They said periodic assessment of the OT and associated facilities was necessary to ensure that the available infrastructure remained functional, safe and prepared to respond to emergency medical requirements.
The visit also provided an opportunity to assess the availability and condition of equipment and essential medical supplies required for anaesthesia and surgical procedures.
The assessment has raised expectations of improved access to emergency and surgical healthcare in Zanskar, particularly if the specialist gap is addressed. A dedicated Anaesthetist at CHC Padum could enable greater utilisation of the existing OT and reduce the need for patients to undertake long-distance referrals when urgent intervention is required.
