Last week, in addition to what has already been written on and about Kashmir, a new book was released. The book, Kashmir in Sickness and in Health’ talks about the health history of conflict torn Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Gulzar Rasool aka Gulzar Mufti, a Consultant Urologist, a non resident Kashmiri has dealt in detail about the developments that matured the medical outlook of Jammu and Kashmir.
The book was released at a formal function at valley’s lone medical college where the author has studied medicine and then moved to England for further studies.
Born and brought up in downtown Srinagar, Gulzar Mufti after doing MBBS did MS, MCh, FRCS and now resides in UK with his wife at Maidstone, Kent. He works as Urological Surgeon, a Medical Director for Care UK and Fitness to Practise Panellist for the General Medical Council.
After receiving higher surgical training in urology in various institutions in London and the South East including the Institute of Urology & Nephrology, Mr Mufti joined Medway Maritime Hospital as a consultant urological surgeon in 1990. His primary place for private consultation is at Spire Alexandra Hospital, Walderslade, Kent.
Whilst his practice encompasses all aspects of urology, over the years he has developed an expertise in the management of urological cancer.
Mr Mufti is the lead urological cancer surgeon who has undertaken over 175 radical cystectomies (removal of urinary bladder) for bladder cancer and has the expertise in reconstructing a new bladder after bladder removal, a procedure known as Orthotopic Bladder Reconstruction.
At the book release ceremony, he lamented primary health sector of valley though he praised secondary and tertiary health care of valley. “Primary healthcare system does not exist in Kashmir. There are secondary and tertiary care facilities like SKIMS but the Valley lacks the concept of primary healthcare system which is imperative for providing effective healthcare,” he said.
He said, “In UK, healthcare system is taken as a yardstick for effective governance. You cannot separate the three entities: political, mental and physical health. If you have a stable government, social and health care improves.”
The book analyses the ups and downs of Kashmir’s ailing political health since the beginning of Dogra rule more than 150 years ago, until the present time.
The author has pulled off the task of juxtaposing the history of Kashmir, with a history of its medical and educational development, interweaving his own experiences of growing up in Srinagar – the capital of Kashmir, to illuminate the readership with specific aspects of his story.
The book gives an insight into various aspects of British involvement in Kashmir, describes the pioneering work of the UK missionaries in its social, educational and healthcare development, and points to the reciprocal contribution of the Kashmiris to present day British society.
His contribution to health care was recognised by the Department of Health in 2007 when he was awarded a ‘Clinical Excellence Silver Award’. He was one of the six urological surgeons in England & Wales to receive this award.
Mr Mufti is a trainer for registrars in training, recognised teacher in surgery for GKT Medical School and examiner for OSCI (final MBBS) for the University of London.
He enjoys travelling and is interested in the history of health care development.
– RIYAZ UL KHALIQ
