GMC Anantnag becomes the first newly established medical college in J&K to receive approval for DrNB Cardiology seats, marking a major boost to advanced cardiac care and training
February 17, Anantnag: In a major milestone for medical education and healthcare in South Kashmir, Government Medical College Anantnag has received accreditation from the National Board of Examinations for three DrNB Cardiology seats, making it the first newly established GMC in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to secure approval for a superspeciality course in cardiology.
Given that GMC Anantnag has a bed strength of more than 500, the newly sanctioned DrNB Cardiology seats will be equivalent to DM Cardiology. This achievement has been hailed as a landmark moment for the institution and the region it serves.
The accreditation has been achieved under the patronage of Principal and Dean Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb and the leadership of Head of Department Cardiology Dr Syed Maqbool, supported by the sustained efforts of the department’s faculty members. Officials described the approval as the result of relentless teamwork and institutional commitment.
Since the rapid expansion of the Department of Cardiology in early 2025, cardiac care services at GMC Anantnag have seen a transformative change. Following the operationalisation of the cath lab in April 2025, the department has performed more than 3,000 procedures, including over 1,000 life-saving interventions such as primary angioplasties and pacemaker implantations. The team has also achieved a notable door-to-balloon time of 15 to 20 minutes while conducting eight primary angioplasties within a single 12-hour period.
Apart from emergency care, the department routinely performs advanced interventions that were previously unavailable in the region. These include complex coronary procedures such as rotational atherectomy, orbital atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, left main and bifurcation interventions, triple vessel disease management, DCB angioplasty and CTO interventions. Structural heart procedures including BMV, ASD, PDA and RSOV device closures, as well as peripheral interventions involving subclavian, carotid and lower limb vessels, are also being undertaken as required.
By providing advanced cardiac services locally, the department has significantly reduced the need for patients from South Kashmir, Ramban, Banihal, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi and adjoining areas to travel to Srinagar, thereby lowering transit-related risks and improving survival outcomes.
Head of the Department of Cardiology Dr Syed Maqbool expressed gratitude to all officials, faculty members and staff who supported the department in achieving the accreditation, acknowledging the crucial role of hospital administration and academic coordination.
Principal and Dean Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb congratulated the Department of Cardiology on the achievement and termed it a proud moment for GMC Anantnag, stating that the milestone reflects the institution’s growing academic and clinical strength.
It is noteworthy that GMC Anantnag has been allotted more superspeciality cardiology seats per year than GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu. The accreditation, officials said, further strengthens the position of GMC Anantnag as an emerging centre for advanced cardiac treatment and specialist medical training in the region.