Doda Jan. 31:- In a significant milestone for healthcare in the Chenab Valley, the Department of *General Surgery at Government Medical College (GMC) Doda* has successfully performed its first-ever Advanced Minimal Access Surgery for carcinoma rectum. The complex procedure, known as Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection (LAR), was conducted on a 73-year-old male patient, marking a major advancement in cancer care services in the region.
The patient, diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer, had earlier undergone neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy at GMC Jammu and was subsequently advised definitive surgical management. Being a resident of a far-flung area of District Doda, the patient chose to undergo surgery at his local institution, GMC Doda.
After detailed evaluation by Dr Sajan Bijyal, Surgical Oncologist, Department of General Surgery, the surgery was successfully performed by Dr Sajan Bijyal and his team, which included Dr Peeyush, OT technicians Mr Nadeem and Mr Kamran, with critical support from the Anaesthesia team led by Dr Shafiq and Dr Guddi Devi.
The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged in a stable condition with advice for regular follow-up.
While speaking Dr Sajan Bijyal stated that such advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgeries are usually confined to well-established tertiary care centres equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and high surgical expertise. The successful execution of this complex procedure at GMC Doda represents a major leap in bringing advanced surgical care to the doorsteps of the rural population of the Chenab Valley, significantly reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for specialized treatment.
Dr Bijyal further acknowledged the guidance and support of Principal GMC Doda, Dr Rakesh Bahl, stating that the institution is steadily developing the capacity to provide comprehensive and modern cancer care, which is a matter of pride for the entire region.
The initiative taken by Dr Sajan Bijyal and his team, despite limited infrastructure, has been widely appreciated by the public and stands as a testament to the growing capabilities of GMC Doda in delivering advanced healthcare services.
