Anantnag, Sep 1: In a significant milestone for healthcare in south Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has successfully performed its first-ever cochlear implant surgeries, offering a ray of hope to patients battling severe hearing loss.
A cochlear implant is a sophisticated device that treats severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Unlike conventional hearing aids, it bypasses the damaged inner ear structures and restores sound perception through an internal electrode array paired with an external sound processor.
The initiative was led by the Department of ENT at GMC Anantnag under the guidance of Dr Aamir Yousuf, Head of the Department, with technical mentorship from Prof Dr Prem Sagar of AIIMS Delhi. Two children aged five and eight years became the first beneficiaries of this landmark procedure.
Dr Yousuf highlighted the importance of early intervention, noting that children implanted before 18 months of age have a much better chance of developing natural speech and language skills. To further strengthen the programme, GMC Anantnag has established a dedicated Cochlear Implant Clinic, which will function every Friday. The clinic will offer comprehensive services including evaluation, surgical planning, post-operative mapping, and rehabilitation.
The surgical team used advanced technologies such as Neural Response Telemetry (NRT) and SMARTNAV to ensure precise electrode placement inside the cochlea. Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist Munaza Hameed Lone monitored electrode response during the surgeries, playing a crucial role in their success.
Dr Salman Khursheed, Assistant Professor ENT, lauded the contributions of the anaesthesia team led by Dr Anjum Shamim, OT staff, radiology wing, and the support extended by Cochlear India and DEIC. He also paid tribute to Prof Sajad Qazi, Senior ENT Surgeon, for laying the foundation of specialised ENT services at GMC.
The team credited Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, Principal GMC Anantnag, for her guidance and vision, which they said was instrumental in achieving this milestone. [KNT]
