JLNM Hospital redefines allergy care

Srinagar, Jul 21: Tucked between bustling neighbourhoods and the echo of a centuries-old graveyard, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial (JLNM) Hospital in Srinagar has long served as a beacon of healing for the people of the Valley.

But over the past year, this 145-year-old district hospital has emerged as something more – a centre of pioneering allergy care and medical innovation, rewriting the narrative of public healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir.

Since October 2023, the hospital’s Division of Allergy-Immunology has been quietly revolutionising patient care, serving nearly 200 patients every week.

With over 400 skin prick tests conducted for food and aeroallergens and 65 drug challenge tests performed, the hospital has become a crucial lifeline for those navigating complex allergic conditions.

What sets JLNM apart is not just the numbers, but its national distinction of being the only district hospital in India with a dedicated drug allergy management facility, a milestone that has attracted patients from across Kashmir and beyond.

Adding further depth to its services, the division has developed a Kashmir-specific allergy testing panel, rooted in local research, to address regional sensitivities with precision.

This initiative has transformed JLNM into a referral hub for allergy diagnostics, its influence now reaching even outside J&K.

The hospital’s collaborations with international institutions, notably Birmingham Medical University, have further elevated its standing, placing it among select centres in the country contributing to global allergy research.

TRIPLE MILESTONE MOMENT

On July 11 and 12, JLNM Hospital transcended its role as a healthcare facility, transforming into a space of intellectual exchange, innovation, and celebration.

Over two days, it hosted ‘Allergy Alert: Alleviating Allergies’, a first-of-its-kind regional conference dedicated solely to allergy awareness and care, a bold initiative in a field often sidelined in mainstream medicine.

The event drew experts, researchers, and young medics under one roof.

Inaugurated by Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, the conference highlighted the daily struggles of allergy patients and the pressing need for focused care. Guest of honour Tanvir Sadiq lauded the hospital’s efforts and pledged support for a new auditorium and advanced diagnostic tools, affirming the administration’s commitment to modernising healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir.

AJCPR LAUNCH

A moment of pride came with the unveiling of the Asian Journal of Clinical Practice and Research (AJCPR), a publication envisioned and developed by the hospital’s doctors.

The journal symbolises JLNM’s transformation into a knowledge-generating institution, where research and clinical service go hand in hand. “Let this inspire young medicos to merge research with care,” said Dr Jahangir Bakshi, Director of Health Services Kashmir, praising the hospital’s achievement in launching a peer-reviewed journal from a district-level institution.

VOICES OF FUTURE

A key highlight of the event was the research presentation session by postgraduate students.

For many, it was their first experience presenting scientific data.

Their enthusiasm and rigour were met with resounding applause as Minister Sakina Itoo felicitated the best presenters, symbolising a generational handover of responsibility and hope.

TEAM BEHIND TRANSFORMATION

The journey from concept to execution was led by Dr Taha Ashraf and Dr Irfan Rasool Gadda, but both emphasised the role of a dedicated team including Dr Asifa Jan, Dr Akhtar Ganaie, Dr Shakib Nabi, Dr Nasir Shamas, Dr Masarat Sultana, and Dr Altaf Khan.

According to them, the visit of the Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Syed Abid Rashid Shah, catalysed this transformation. They said that his emphasis on “publish or perish” became a clarion call for the team to aim higher.

MORE THAN A HOSPITAL

Addressing the gathering at the event, Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Tariq Jan said, “This is more than an event. It is a stride, a stride for every district hospital that dreams beyond boundaries.”

HoD Medicine and Organising Chairman, Dr Shahzada Parray, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Care is not just about treatment. It is about learning, sharing, and daring to dream bigger.”