Choose between vaccine or ventilator: Director SKIMS to people

‘Third World War being fought by medical fraternity and people at home’

By: Zehra Shafi

Srinagar: Despite a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in Kashmir, the Valley’s premier health institution SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here has led from the front in the fight against the pestilence. Till date thousands of patients have been treated at the health facility.

Talking to Precious Kashmir, Director SKIMS, Dr A G Ahangar, said, “We leave no stone unturned to give the best available treatment to the patients suffering from COVID-19. We have set up separate high flow oxygen and low flow oxygen wards. And the patients are admitted in these facilities depending on their condition.”

“Besides infrastructure, we also have sufficient stock of drugs required to treat COVID-19 patients,” he said.

Extending gratitude to the Union Territory government for the unwavering support in dealing with the pandemic, Dr Ahangar said that SKIMS has received sufficient supplies from the administration as and when required.

“The administration led by the honourable LG has been of great help and support. The government constantly takes stock of the situation. Our every need was met at the earliest,” he said.

He said, “The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha is personally monitoring the developments and circumstances arising out of COVID pandemic and ensuring that pestilence is overcome with whatever it takes, from oxygen to medicines and logistic support to each and every health care institution in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. From Advisors to the Hon’ble LG, the Chief Secretary and the Financial Commissioners all are lending their tremendous support for helping the management at all levels.”

Reiterating the commendable services rendered by SKIMS in combating both COVID and Non-COVID disasters/diseases, Dr Ahangar reassured people that “we will overcome this pandemic with the cooperation of people at large while observing SOPs and following government guidelines, including unavoidable lockdowns to break the transmission chain.”

Dr Ahangar overemphasised the need for the Mass Vaccination Campaign, the only ultimate weapon against the Corona Pandemic…the “Third World War” is being fought by medical fraternity and people at home rather than soldiers in the battle fields.

He said, “We have to choose between vaccine or ventilator, vaccine or death, vaccine or famine.”

He hoped that people at large would understand the gravity of the situation and the crisis that would otherwise unfold.

“Precautions not panic is the solution to this deadly pandemic. We can overcome this situation if we follow all the SOPs and guidelines issued by the government from time to time,” he said.

Praising doctors, paramedics and others for their dedication and resilience in fighting the pandemic, Dr Ahangar said that every member of his team is working overtime to help the patients in distress.

“Our staff fought this pandemic with utmost courage. When the pandemic was rearing its head in Kashmir last year, the doctors at SKIMS pulled their socks and did everything to save people and since then they have not looked back,” he said.

He also added that the hospital has started tele-consultation services for patients in an attempt to restrict physical visits of the patients who have mild symptoms.

Dr Ahangar said that SKIMS canteen is providing meals to the attendants at an affordable price so that they don’t feel overburdened and stressed amidst the distressing situation caused by the pandemic.

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