SRINAGAR: SMHS Hospital, one of the most significant tertiary care health institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, has been managing an overwhelming daily influx of approximately 10,000 visitors, including patients, attendants, and other visitors. Despite the massive crowd, the hospital continues to prioritise cleanliness and hygiene, ensuring that all areas, especially high-traffic zones like the Emergency and Causality block, remain well-maintained, according to a DIPR JK statement.
The Emergency Department of SMHS Hospital handles a staggering flow of 3,200 patients daily, providing consultations, treatments, and a wide range of essential patient care services. With a capacity of 890 beds, the hospital’s inpatient department (IPD) sees significant activity, averaging 30 major surgeries and 60 minor procedures each day.
During the fiscal year 2023-24, SMHS Hospital recorded an impressive volume of patient care. In the Outpatient Department (OPD), 1,063,028 patients were attended to, while 107,589 patients received treatment in the IPD. Over this period, 10,726 major surgeries and 12,543 minor surgeries were performed, underscoring the hospital’s crucial role in the region’s healthcare system.
The hospital also houses dedicated laboratories that perform 6,000 lab tests daily, offering round-the-clock services. On a typical day, the Radiology Department conducts 30 MRIs, 450 ultrasound scans, 125 CT scans, and 400 X-rays, contributing to the efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Despite handling such a high volume of visitors daily, SMHS Hospital maintains strict standards of cleanliness and hygiene. To ensure cleanliness, the hospital conducts a three-shift sanitation drive, with dedicated sanitation workers covering the hospital premises in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The sanitation of key areas, including the Causality block and several wards, covering a total of 62,000 square feet, has been outsourced to ensure proper maintenance.
A team of 35 sanitation workers is responsible for maintaining cleanliness in other parts of the hospital, but hospital authorities emphasize that the responsibility of keeping the premises clean extends to everyone, including patients and their attendants. The hospital has appealed for public cooperation, urging visitors to avoid littering on the hospital grounds and to refrain from bringing polythene bags into the hospital, which can contribute to environmental hazards.
The SMHS Hospital, along with other associated hospitals of Government Medical College Srinagar, remains dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare services. With a special focus on sanitation and hygiene, the hospital is ensuring that patient care is delivered in a clean and safe environment, despite the daily challenges posed by large crowds.
The hospital administration has issued a public appeal, calling on everyone visiting SMHS Hospital to take responsibility for maintaining its cleanliness. They ask visitors to dispose of waste properly and to be mindful of hygiene practices while on the hospital premises.
By working together, the hospital and the public can ensure that SMHS remains a clean, efficient, and caring facility for all those seeking medical care.
