Cath Lab in the Dept of Cardiology inaugurated by Chief Minister at SMCH

Jan. 21: The Department of Cardiology at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH) was functioning all these days without the most basic thing, that is, a Cath Lab. Finally, the long cherished aspirations of the people of the Valley was fulfilled on Friday. During the day, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma formally inaugurated the newly constructed Cath Lab in the Department of Cardiology at SMCH.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Guardian Minister Ashok Singhal, Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy, MLA’s Dipayan Chakraborty, Kaushik Rai, Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, Principal of SMCH Dr Babul Bezbaruah among others. The details of the equipment installed in the Cath lab was demonstrated and explained to the Chief Minister by Dr Rajdeep Roy.

Set up at a cost of Rs 5.39 crore and with facilities such as angioplasty, the Cath lab will greatly benefit cardiac patients. Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I am glad to dedicate the services of Cath Lab in the Dept of Cardiology, Silchar Medical College Hospital, to the people of Barak Valley. There will also be a specialist of Cardiology in this lab who will perform angioplasty etc. in the lab. Moreover, the work of a new 500-bedded hospital at SMCH is going on. I have instructed to complete this work on a priority basis.”

The Chief Minister further informed that land has already been allotted for a dental college and the work will begin from next year. He said that gradually the people of Barak Valley will now be able avail improved health facilities at Silchar Medical College. However, on asked about a permanent cardiologist to run the Cath Lab, Chief Minister Dr Sarma replied, “It is a bit difficult work to get a permanent cardiologist. The doctor who will now be engaged in the lab will do work. As such, it carries no meaning in terms like permanent and temporary. The only factor that needs to be kept in mind is that whenever any patient comes here, he/she should get the services of a doctor.”

A catheterization laboratory, commonly referred to as a Cath Lab, is an examination room in a hospital or clinic with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualize the arteries of the heart and the chambers of the heart and treat any stenosis or abnormality found.

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