 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 2: The Department of Respiratory Medicine & Tuberculosis, Chest Diseases Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful introduction of Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), an advanced minimally invasive diagnostic procedure. The facility is the first of its kind in the Jammu Division and marks a major advancement in the availability of specialised respiratory and interventional pulmonology services in the region.The EBUS facility has been established under the leadership of Dr. Rahul Gupta, Professor & Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine, with the valuable guidance, support and encouragement of Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal, GMC Jammu, and Dr. Rakesh Shanna, Medical Superintendent, Chest Diseases Hospital, Jammu. As part of the initial rollout of the facility, three patients successfully underwent EBUS procedures at Chest Diseases Hospital, Jammu. The procedures were performed under the expert supervision of Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, GMC Srinagar, with active support and coordination from the Departments of Anaesthesia and Pathology, GMC Jammu. Dr. Rahul Gupta expressed his sincere gratitude to Dr. Rajesh Mahajan, HOD, Department of Anaesthesia, and Dr. Jyotsna Suri, HOD, Department of Pathology, for their valuable cooperation and continued support in successfully establishing and operationalising the facility. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a sophisticated bronchoscopic technique that combines conventional bronchoscopy with real-time ultrasound imaging. It enables precise evaluation and minimally invasive sampling of lesions and lymph nodes located within and adjacent to the airways, particularly those in the mediastinum and hilar regions. EBUS has an important role in the diagnosis, evaluation and staging of thoracic diseases, particularly lung cancer, tuberculosis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and other pulmonary and mediastinal conditions. By facilitating targeted sampling of lymph nodes and lesions, the procedure can provide valuable tissue diagnosis while avoiding, in appropriately selected cases, more invasive surgical procedures.
The introduction of EBUS at GMC Jammu represents a major step forward in strengthening interventional pulmonology and advanced respiratory diagnostic services in the Jammu Division. The availability of this facility within the institution will enable appropriately selected patients to undergo advanced diagnostic evaluation closer to home, thereby reducing the need for referrals to centres outside the region and minimising the burden associated with travel and more invasive diagnostic procedures. The successful commencement of the EBUS service also reflects the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, with close coordination among the Departments of Respiratory Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pathology. Such coordinated efforts are essential for delivering safe, accurate and patient-centred advanced diagnostic care. The achievement underscores the continued commitment of GMC Jammu and Chest Diseases Hospital towards strengthening specialised healthcare infrastructure, adopting contemporary medical technologies and expanding access to minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic services. With the introduction of EBUS, GMC Jammu has taken another important step towards providing advanced, accessible and technology enabled respiratory care to patients from Jammu Division and adjoining areas.
The institution remains committed to the continuous upgradation of specialised diagnostic and therapeutic services, with the objective of ensuring that patients receive high-quality advanced healthcare facilities closer to home. |
