Perception of Public towards the Conversion of District Hospital Anantnag to Government Medical College Anantnag
Authors: Jallu Romana , Farooq Joziea , Shora Tajali Nazir 
Published: August 2023

Health has been important asset of every country. India is a vast country both in terms of area as well as population and to cater the health needs of this huge population has become difficult if the decentralization of health system has not been opted. The establishment of these five government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir represents a strategic effort to enhance the overall healthcare infrastructure in the region. By strategically locating these institutions across the state, healthcare services can be efficiently distributed, and the medical needs of the population can be better met. Each of these government medical colleges is expected to play a vital role in training a new generation of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel. The availability of skilled and qualified healthcare practitioners within the region can significantly improve the quality of medical services provided to the public. Moreover, having multiple government medical colleges allows for a broader range of medical specializations and super-specializations, addressing a more extensive spectrum of health conditions. This not only benefits the patients but also facilitates medical research and advancements within the region. Additionally, the presence of these medical colleges can positively impact the local economy by creating job opportunities and attracting healthcare-related industries to invest in the area. The influx of medical students and professionals can also contribute to the growth of the local community. However, despite these positive aspects, there might also be challenges in managing and sustaining the operations of multiple government medical colleges effectively. Issues such as funding, resource allocation, and ensuring quality standards must be carefully addressed to ensure the continued success of these institutions. This study was carried out to know the perception of public regarding the conversion of District Hospital into Medical College at Anantnag.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the 1100 patients admitted in various departments of government medical college Anantnag. Data was collected using questionnaire through interview method from 1100 patients in a time period of two years and 8 months.
Results: The results of the study revealed that the 1064(96.7%) study subjects reported that the OPD waiting time has reduced after the conversion of District Hospital to GMC, 732(66.5%) study subjects agreed that the no undue investigation was being asked for their diagnosis, 1032 (93.8%) study subjects reported that they had been properly treated during their admission stay in the hospital. All the study subjects: 1100(100%) agreed that the Pre-operative and post-operative care given was better than before. No study subject was strongly dissatisfied with the conversion of District Hospital to GMC. 50(4.5%) study subjects were dissatisfied with the conversion of District Hospital to GMC. 252(22.9%) study subjects were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the conversion of District Hospital to GMC. 102(9.3%) study subjects were satisfied with the conversion of District Hospital to GMC. 696(63.3%) study subjects were strongly satisfied with the conversion of District Hospital to GMC.