SRINAGAR: The Government Children Hospital Bemina, a 500-bedded healthcare facility, continues to serve as a premier pediatric institution catering to the medical needs of Kashmir Division, Chenab Valley, Poonch, Rajouri, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services to approximately 1,200 patients daily in its Outpatient Department (OPD) and admits around 80-90 patients in its Inpatient Department (IPD). With a significant daily footfall of around 6,000 individuals, including patients and attendants, the hospital remains a cornerstone of pediatric healthcare in the region.
The hospital boasts the highest number of critical care beds in the entire Union Territory, with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) offering services that meet both national and international standards. Additionally, the hospital has received approval for fellowship programs in neonatology and pediatric neurology for doctors and nurses, further enhancing its capacity for specialized medical training.
In a significant move to provide high-end critical care free of cost, the government has increased funding allocation for the hospital. Expensive and essential medications, including Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), Albumin, and Surfactant, are now available to patients at no cost. Moreover, Government Children Hospital Bemina is the only facility in the region offering OPD services even on Sundays, ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare.
The hospital runs a robust program for congenital anomalies and various disabilities under the District Early Intervention Center (DEIC) and the National Health Mission (NHM). The Ayushman Bharat Sehat scheme covers more than 95 percent of the hospital’s IPD cases, making healthcare accessible and affordable for the majority of patients.
At present, the hospital houses several specialized departments, including General Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Hematology, Pediatric Microbiology, Pediatric Nephrology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Radio Diagnosis & Imaging. These departments are staffed by 134 faculty members, medical officers, senior residents, and postgraduate doctors. The faculty strength comprises six Professors, six Associate Professors, eight Assistant Professors, three Consultants, 23 Medical Officers, 32 Senior Residents, two Fellows, and 54 Postgraduate students. Additionally, the hospital has adequate paramedical staff, including lab technicians, nursing officers, technical staff, sanitation staff, and outsourced security personnel.
The Pediatric Surgery Department operates throughout the week, including emergency surgeries, and has successfully performed complex neonatal surgeries, providing significant relief to patients. The department is well-equipped with state-of-the-art surgical facilities and a team of highly skilled surgeons dedicated to pediatric care.
To address faculty shortages, the hospital has advertised vacancies for Assistant Professors in various disciplines such as Neonatology, Pediatric Biochemistry, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Orthopedics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Pediatric Neurology. However, the selection process for these positions has been put on hold following a directive from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. The hospital has also initiated the recruitment process for Senior Residents, which is expected to conclude within the next two weeks.
Despite these challenges, the Government Children Hospital Bemina remains committed to delivering high-quality pediatric healthcare services. Efforts are underway to expedite the recruitment process and strengthen the hospital’s medical team to ensure uninterrupted and advanced healthcare for children across the region.
