JAMMU: In a recent online interview with Dr. Furqan A Nizami, a distinguished specialist in Brain and Spinal trauma, Brain and Spinal cord tumors, Paediatric Neurosurgery, Stroke Surgery, Brain and Spinal cord Infections, Degenerative disc disease, and Congenital Spinal Malformations, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Ajmer Alam Wani had the opportunity to delve into the impressive achievements and contributions of Dr. Nizami in the field of neurosurgery.
Dr. Furqan A Nizami holds a notable position as the first Neurosurgeon from Jammu & Kashmir to have worked on Ischemic Stroke during the M.Ch training programme at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura Srinagar in 2011. His remarkable thesis on the Role of Surgery in Ischemic Stroke patients was published in one of the best International Neurosurgery Journals at that time. Dr. Furqan A Nizami has more than 50 National and International publications and is an Associate Editor of two International Neurosurgery Journals.
Having completed his MBBS from GMC Jammu and later MS in General Surgery and M.Ch. in Neurosurgery from SKIMS, Srinagar, Dr. Nizami further honed his expertise at Fortis Hospital, Noida, where he acquired skills in complex spine surgery procedures and minimal access surgery. For more than a decade, he has served as a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Super Specialty Hospital (SSH), GMC Jammu, where he leads a team handling patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Brain Tumors, Spinal Cord Tumors, Degenerative Spinal Procedures, and Complex Spinal Procedures.
The neurosurgical team at GMC Jammu routinely manages over 200 patients per month with mild to moderate head injuries and more than 50 patients with severe head injuries, underscoring the crucial role of timely intervention and comprehensive post-operative care in determining patient outcomes.
Discussing Stroke Management, Dr. Nizami highlighted that stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. The department at GMC Jammu, under his guidance, operates on complex stroke patients, both Ischemic and Hemorrhagic, following international guidelines to achieve better patient outcomes. In line with his dedication to research, he initiated a research project on the Role of Surgery in Hemorrhagic Strokes.
With a focus on Brain Tumors, Dr. Nizami pointed out that SSH, GMC Jammu, performs surgery on more than 100 patients annually with provisional diagnoses of brain tumors. Malignant tumors necessitate post-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and the department relies on the dedicated State Cancer Institute in GMC for further management of such cases. Their expertise in managing Spinal Cord Tumors, with over 50 patients operated on annually, consistently demonstrates results on par with the best centers in the country.
Dr. Nizami also shared insights into Pediatric Brain Tumors, emphasizing that the department handles such cases effectively, as it is the sole Tertiary Care Referral Department in the entire Jammu division dedicated to managing these young patients. Generally, pediatric brain tumors being benign, once operated on, allow for better survival and normal life during post-operative follow-up.
Furthermore, the team at GMC Jammu is experienced in addressing Brain and Spinal Cord Infections, particularly those arising from Tuberculosis (TB), which is a prevalent chronic infection in India. Neurosurgery Deptt SSH, GMC Jammu, where Dr Nizami is working as Associate Professor handles complex brain infections, including those leading to hydrocephalus, and employs conservative management for certain types of spinal cord infections.
The interview also highlighted the importance of rehabilitation in the acute management of brain and spinal cord injuries. Neurosurgery Deptt where Dr Nizami is working as Associate Professor emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach involving physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, rehabilitation nursing, social work, psychology, and other health and social care professionals. The goal is to enable patients to live as independently as possible.
In a significant achievement for the institute, the Department of Neurosurgery SSH, GMC Jammu, has commenced a post-doctorate (DNB) course in Neurosurgery. Dr. Nizami expressed his commitment to elevating patient care and academic standards for both patients and students through various ongoing research projects on Head Injury, Stroke, Brain, and Spinal Cord Tumors.
Dr. Furqan A Nizami's contributions to the field of Neurosurgery have undoubtedly been invaluable, and his dedication to patient care and research serves as an inspiration to the medical community in Jammu & Kashmir and beyond. His exceptional work and expertise continue to make a significant impact on the lives of patients suffering from complex neurological conditions.