 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 15: Responding to the healthcare needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Charitable Hospital (SVMMCH), Ambphalla, Jammu, has officially commenced corneal transplant (keratoplasty) surgery. This milestone makes SVMMCH the first private hospital in Jammu province to be authorized as a Corneal Transplant Centre by the Director Health Services, Jammu.
The inauguration ceremony was honored by the presence of Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Sh. Ghulam Ali Khatana, who visited various departments of the hospital and commended the institution's dedication to advancing healthcare in the region.
The event was attended by esteemed members of the hospital's administration, including Subash Gupta (Chief Patron), Anil Gupta (President), Amar Chand Gupta, (Sr. Vice President), B.B. Gupta (General Secretary), B.S. Jamwal (Secretary), Mohan Singh Chohan (Treasurer), and Management Members , Neeraj Puri , Dr. Brij Mohan Gupta, Dharamvir Chopra, Dr. Sachin Gupta and Iqbal Deep Singh (Manager).
Following its official registration with the Director Health Services Jammu, the hospital successfully performed its first two corneal transplants on March 13, 2025. The expert surgical team included corneal surgeon Dr. Suruchi Gupta (M.S. Ophthalmology, ex-senior resident PGI Chandigarh), Dr. Pallavi Sharma, O.T. Technician Mr. Gurjeet Singh, Transplant Coordinator Kewal Kumar, Refractionist Vikram, and supporting staff members Sonu Singh and Ms. Anita Taak.
The first recipient was a patient who had suffered vision loss due to a chemical injury and had been waiting for a corneal transplant for a prolonged period. The second patient, affected by corneal dystrophy for over 30 years due to a hereditary condition, underwent a complex triple procedure that included optical keratoplasty and cataract surgery.
MP Ghulam Ali Khatana lauded the hospital's achievement, stating, "This is a significant step toward reducing blindness and enhancing healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir. SVMMCH continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing advanced and accessible medical care to the people of the region. The hospital's dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure is truly commendable." He also praised all the facilities of the hospital and lauded the visionary leadership of its management for their dedication to providing quality healthcare services.
Expressing his gratitude, SVMMCH President Sh. Anil Gupta remarked, "We take immense pride in being the first private hospital in Jammu province to offer corneal transplant services. This facility will greatly benefit patients who previously faced long waiting periods or had to travel outside the state for such critical procedures. It will also help alleviate the burden on government hospitals." |
