By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar: The Covid-19 graph that was on rising with each passing day till last week in J&K has shown a significant dip with the government claiming that its focus was ramping up the health infrastructure to tackle the possible third wave.
Official spokesperson of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir Dr Mir Mushtaq while speaking exclusively to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the situation is improving which is a good news and hopefully very soon, people of Kashmir would be able to resume their normal work.
He said that Covid-19 is a new virus and research is going on and there is no specific time when and how this virus can show surge.
“Lockdown and unlock decisions are being taken by taking all parameters into consideration. Last year, unlock was done to give breather to public as economic activities were closed for many months altogether,” he said. “Second wave behaved differently and there were more severe patients, however, 90 percent patients were treated at their home this year.”
Asked about referrals from district hospitals to Srinagar hospitals, Dr Mushtaq said that at some stages referrals are a must as every major hospital in Srinagar is tertiary care hospital. He, however, said that there should be a focus on preventing the “unnecessary referrals” to Srinagar hospitals from districts.
“Let me tell you, infrastructure at district hospitals was developed in a quickest possible time and referrals are less compared to previous years,” he said.
Replying to a query, he said that no one in J&K died for want of oxygen or ICU bed as government has worked very hard and more and more ICU beds were created and now even oxygen beds have been made available at panchayat level as well.
Dr Mushtaq said that government is ready to tackle any situation and training is being given to doctors and para medics to make necessary arrangements to face any possible third wave.
He said that doctors and other health care workers have been working day and night and government has already announced incentives in their favour.
Asked about slow vaccination drive in Kashmir, he said that earlier there was hesitancy from the people’s side and now the credit goes to government that campaigned in a positive way and now everyone is ready to take vaccine to keep the virus at a bay.
He said that vaccination process is going on and in coming few days, process will be completed for people above 45 years of age and every individual will get vaccinated in coming days. “India a big country and the mission is to vaccinate every individual. People of J&K must remain patient as government is committed to vaccinate every one above 18-years of age,” he said—(KNO)
