Aurangabad: In a boost to healthcare for the elderly, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) inaugurated a geriatric ward on Friday. The ward was thrown open by MLA Atul Save. The hospital developed a geriatric department last year. An MD course in geriatrics has also begun this year. This hospital becomes the first in the state and the third in the country to have the MD geriatrics department.The department received the nod from the Medical Council of India (MCI) for its MD course with three PG seats a year. As per the MCI, the geriatrics department aims to create a cadre of health professionals who provide comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation for the elderly.This department is expected to facilitate undergraduate and postgraduate training and carry out research in geriatrics and gerontology.The geriatric department already has an OPD. On Friday, it opened a 30-bed ward on the third floor of the medicine building. Fifteen beds for men and 15 for women patients are divided with a partition. The ward has been beautified with paintings by resident doctors.Speaking on the occasion, Mangala Borkar, head of newly opened department, said there are more than 10 crore Indian citizens more than 60 years old. Geriatrics has become increasingly important, she said. Along with the regular healthcare, patients are provided counselling, nutritional advice and mental support at the department.GMCH dean Kanan Yelikar said when the average life expectancy had increased to 64 years, it was important that geriatric care should be stressed upon. She hinted that the department may soon start a super-specialty course.Bhagwat Karad, the president of Marathwada Statutory Development Board, said he is following up with the Union health ministry for a regional geriatric centre in GMCH Aurangabad.Putting forth the needs of the department, Borkar appealed to MLA Atul Save to see to it that the various schemes available for the elderly are made easily accessible. She also asked for purchase of drugs and medical equipment from the funds available with the civic body and with the public health department for elderly citizens.

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