Precious Kashmir

Delhi HC rejects PIL to stop media trial against Olympian Sushil Kumar

Sports

29/05/2021

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday declined a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an order to stop media trial and reporting in wrestler Sushil Kumar’s case, considering the rights of the accused.

The petitioner Shrikant Prasad sought to restrain the media from ‘declaring him guilty ‘even before the decision of the trial court.

The petitioner requested the court to initiate a high power committee to unveil those who were ‘leaking’ each and every information to the media by breaching the right to privacy of the accused and causing ‘prejudice’ against his right to a free and fair trial with an ‘intention’ to end his career.

The petitioner named Kamla Devi, mother of Kumar, as the co-petitioner in the PIL. However, the counsel for Kumar submitted that the wrestler’s mother had not given any consent for filing the PIL.

A division bench of Justices DN Patel and Jyoti Singh,after hearing the submission made by the petitioner, stated, “We see no reason to entertain the matter. If any party is aggrieved, it can approach the court and raise grievances. This particular matter can’t be raised in a PIL.”

The 38-year-old wrestler and Olympian Kumar, the prime suspect, has been remanded in connection with the Chhatrasal Stadium brawl leading to the death of 23-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar on May 4.

He was arrested after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. A District Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Kumar in connection with the case.

Parental Care To ‘Covid-19 Orphans’

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

29/05/2021

Covid-19 has barely left any sphere of life unaffected. It has badly impacted businesses, stretched health facilities to breaking points in most parts of the globe and severely hit the education sector. Many people were claimed as victims, shattering families together as most lost their lone breadwinners. It has unfortunately taken away parental care of many children. A new term has been added to routines and that painfully being Covid orphans.

As per Indian ministry of Women and Child Development, nearly 600 children have been orphaned by the present pandemic in less than two months. That number is likely to go up and one hopes that it does not rise too much. For both government and society, the well-being and protection of these children must be a foremost concern.

While many children have lost parental care, others have to bear a blow with the closure of schools. The online mode of education is also leaving many excluded. In the first wave, the many vulnerable children were at the risk of falling through the cracks—some even forced into child labour.

The Supreme Court today observed that precious time has been being lost as children orphaned, abandoned and traumatised by the pandemic were starving without food.

The apex court has ordered district authorities across the country to immediately fan out and identify these children in need of care and provide them with basic needs like food, shelter and clothes.

As has been pointed out by the top court, there is a need to address the agony of these children.

The court has directed the district authorities in every State to upload the details of children who were orphaned and in a position requiring care and protection after March 2020, the month when the pandemic began in India. The top court has also asked the States and UTs to separately provide the facts and figures of such children within two days.

Society and administration must come together to protect children from any such eventuality.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has already announced that it will provide special scholarships to children who lost their parents due to coronavirus. It also, in a right decision, has announced to provide life-long pension to the families who have lost lone-bread earner to the virus. The government should do as much as possible to help the traumatised children and place them in institutional care, if kinship care is not available.

Engage With Children, Elderly

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

28/05/2021

As corona curfew due to second wave of the pandemic completes a month, it has already taken a great toll on governments, health care systems, economies, organizations, and people across the India. Jammu and Kashmir is no exception.

As people have been barred from normal social interaction and outdoor activities, it has also severely affected mental health of the people due to isolation, restriction on movement, social gathering and idleness.

Children and old aged who stand silently affected by pandemic are badly impacted as far their mental health is concerned.

After the first wave peaked in September last, it took about six months for cases to rise from about 6 million to cross 12 million by the end of March in India.

Now, India already has the world’s third largest death count. Only the United States, which has recorded over 5.84 lakh deaths, and Brazil, which has seen 4.48 lakh deaths, have a higher death count. India now accounts for 16% of the global confirmed cases, and 9% of global deaths.

This situation amid constant struggle for many to find hospital beds, medicines and oxygen are affecting the mental well-being of people, as per several mental health experts. The mental health situation, as per them is much worse now than last year during the first Covid-19 wave.

The present wave has been much more relentless and took many by surprise because it came just as people felt things were returning to normal. A number of people also feel culpable for not being able to support those around them adequately while a large population is yet to recover from fiscal and personal losses of last year. Together, these factors are gravely impacting people’s confidence, and resilience to cope with situations. The present round of the pandemic also impacted the vulnerable sections more since they have much less access to mental health professionals.

The fear of catching infection and the later repercussions has also taken maximum toll on sound minds.

As put by an expert, it is essential to overcome the fear psychosis with a positive mind that “the pandemic phase is temporary and this shall pass too.”

The situation also demands pro-activeness and applying of mind on how to deal with the crisis. Equally, medical professionals must find innovative ways of offering care and therapy at this juncture. At the same time, organizations, and families must come together to offer solidarity and support those who require immediate attention. Parents need to engage their wards in various hobbies and creativity. Younger members in a family need share valuable time with elders.

Sluggishness: Decade-long wait compels twin Pahalgam villagers to construct bridge on their own

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

28/05/2021

Sluggishness: Decade-long wait compels twin Pahalgam villagers to construct bridge on their own

By: Ahmed Shabir

Pahalgam: Disappointed with the alleged lethargy displayed by the authorities, the residents of twin villages in Pahalgam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have finally resolved to construct a bridge over Lidder river on their own.

The people from Bagwani and Amad villages in Pahalgam have pooled money to construct the bridge, which remained a distant dream for them in the last one decade.

After waiting for a decade for the authorities to construct the approach roads on both sides of the bridge over Lidder river, the residents of twin villages of Pahalgam have finally pooled money to construct it.

The construction of approach roads by the locals out of their own pockets has finally connected the two vast areas of Dachnipora and Khowripora.

The bridge over the Lidder river near Bagwani village of Sallar in Pahalgam Tehsil was sanctioned in 2005. The work on the project was, however, started in 2009. The executing agency for the project was JKPCC and the deadline for the completion of the same was set in 2011. The bridge was completed a year later at the estimated cost of 8 crore rupees.

The construction of the bridge was aimed at connecting Sallar area of Dachnipora with that of Aishmuqam area and many other villages of Khowripora.

However, after completion of the bridge which raised the hopes of people that the two areas will get connected after decades, the authorities abandoned it without constructing the approach roads.

In the last ten years, locals said, they approached all the relevant quarters pleading for construction of approach roads passing through nallah but their pleas were never heeded.

The approach roads were to be constructed by the Roads and Building (R&B) department.

Fed up with the attitude of the authorities, the residents of twin villages a few days back finally decided to pool money and construct approach roads on both sides of the bridge themselves.

A local, Mushtaq Ahmad told Precious Kashmir that they collected money from almost every household in both the villages and started work on the construction of approach roads four days ago.

“We have almost completed the construction of the approach road. Since there was no end to wait for the construction of approach roads by authorities we too lost patience and decided to do it on our own. This depicts the sorry state of affairs in Kashmir,” Ahmad said.

Another resident from Bagwani , Gulzar Ahmad Mir said that youth of the two villages located on two sides of the road took an initiative to construct the approach road.

“We laid soiling all the road from Bagwani to Aamad carrying out major repairs of the road from Sallar to Bagwani. At least three lakh rupees were spent on the construction of the road and all the money was collected by the youth of two villages,” Mir told Precious Kashmir.

He said that around 30 tippers of soling material were used for the purpose. “Besides we also hired a bulldozer to fill the potholes first and then used the roller to make the road smooth. It will prove to be a major relief for the people of the area. In the absence of the road earlier people often had to carry patients on stretchers to take them to hospitals,” Mir said.

Locals now demand the macadamisation of the road for which they have laid the foundation. “Since macadamization of the road will consume huge amount and the villagers can’t afford the same. Now that we have laid the foundation of the road, the government should go for its macadamization as the villagers can’t afford it” Mir further said.

Executive Engineer, Qazi Javed when contacted regretted the construction of the road by the people themselves.

“After I took over as Exen, I on priority sent a proposal to the government for construction of the approach road. But that has not been approved yet. Though the Commissioner was very committed to approving this proposal, Covid halted everything. I am hopeful that the government will very soon grant approval to the proposal,” Exen said.

He said that it has pained me to learn that people have pooled money for construction of the same. “Had I come to know about it earlier, I wouldn’t have allowed them to do it on their own,” the officer told Precious Kashmir.

Lifting lockdown: Hasty decision can lead to another catastrophe

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

28/05/2021

Lifting lockdown: Hasty decision can lead to another catastrophe

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: As the COVID-19 cases are witnessing a slight dip in Kashmir, voices to lift the lockdown are becoming shriller. However, experts are of the opinion that the government should not take any hasty decision.

A delegation of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) met Advisor to the Lt Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole earlier this week and explained to them the issues faced by weaker sections of the society impacted by the pandemic triggered lockdown. The delegation demanded that the lockdown should be lifted in a phased manner.

The delegation requested administration to extend the relief measures and compensation to different sections of the society like artisans, weavers, transporters, small shopkeepers, street vendors and industrial labourers as they survive on day to day basis from hand to mouth and have taken a severe hit due to pandemic lockdowns.

The helmsmen after taking a feedback from the representatives of the business community informed them that the decision to lift the lockdown will be taken after proper consultations and all the stakeholders will be taken on board.

However, experts and medicos are of the opinion that the lockdown should continue till the virus replication rate declines and the situation becomes better.

“The decision to ease out restriction should be determined by the criteria,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

“A simple reduction in cases compared to two weeks prior isn’t enough. It has to be a significant drop and it has to be sustained over two weeks,” he added.

A doctor working at SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “There has been a slight dip in the cases and situation is still not under control. The government should wait for at least 15 more days before taking a call on whether to continue with the lockdown or lift it.”

He said, “Still the Covid wards are full and we are finding it very hard to accommodate the patients. Number of patients visiting the hospital has come down marginally. No decision should be taken in haste as human lives are precious. People should get themselves vaccinated as it’s the only protective shield available against the virus.”

Another medico said, “The lockdown has hit the economy hard but there is no other way to fight the virus except restricting our activities. Developing herd immunity holds the key and it cannot be achieved without large number of people getting vaccinated.”

Corona curfew enters 5th week in J&K

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United News Of India

28/05/2021

183 norm violators arrested in Kashmir

Srinagar: The Corona curfew imposed by the administration to curtail the spread of the dreaded virus has entered fifth week on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir, where strict restrictions continued even as there was slight dip in the number of fresh positive cases though there was no letup in the deaths due to the infection.

Even though the spread of COVID-19 has dipped slightly in Srinagar and other parts of the valley, there was no relaxation in the number of deaths per day due to the infection.

As many as 3037 new positive cases, including 1948 from Kashmir and 1089 from Jammu, were on Wednesday reported in the Union Territory.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration last week extended the COVID curfew, which was supposed to end on May 23, by another week till May 31 in all 20 districts of the Union Territory amid no letup in the number of fresh Coronavirus cases and deaths.

This was the fifth successive extension of Corona curfew since April 29 in the Valley, where the vaccination drive has picked up after severe criticism over non-availability of jabs for several weeks.

The extension had come in the backdrop of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in J&K, particularly in Kashmir division.

However, ignoring personal safety, besides appeals by ulmas and religious scholars to adhere to COVID curfew imposed to break the chain, people continue to hit the streets in the valley, where thousands of violators have been fined and arrested while hundreds of vehicles have been seized since April 29.

A heavy rush of people was again witnessed in the morning on the roads, besides outside banks and ATMs in the city and other parts of the valley, where police had to intervene and send them back to their homes. Later, streets again wore a deserted look while shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads in the valley, including Srinagar.

Standalone shops — selling fruits, vegetables, grocery, milk and other dairy products — have been allowed to function between 0600 hrs and 1000 hrs every day amid strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, including ensuring social distancing in Srinagar and other districts in the valley. However, many shops and business establishments, including selling non-essential commodities, open in the evenings in some areas in uptown Srinagar and downtown.

All the roads and market places, including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital remained sealed to prevent movement of people. Shops and businesses established were closed while all the roads were deserted as traffic and people were off the roads in downtown, civil lines, uptown in Srinagar. But, people with emergency or associated with essential services, including doctors and paramedics were allowed to move on the roads after proper verification at various checkpoints established by police.

Reports of similar restrictions were coming from other parts of the valley, including Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north and Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir. Shops and business establishments were closed and roads wore a deserted look in these districts, where police parties were patrolling their respective areas to ensure strict implementation of the lockdown.

Business and other activities remained crippled in central Kashmir districts of Budgam and Ganderbal, where roads have been closed with barbed wires in most parts to prevent movement of vehicles and people.

The administration last month ordered the closure of all universities, colleges, schools, and coaching centres in the Union Territory till May 15 though teaching and non-teaching staff were asked to attend schools and colleges. But, the J&K administration later allowed teaching and non-teaching staff to stay home in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of the educational institutes was later extended till May 30.

Teachers, however, are conducting online classes from home in the valley though many students alleged that they were unable to attend these classes due to the non-availability of smartphones. The decision to allow teachers to take online classes from their respective homes was taken after many teaching and non-teaching staff members of government schools tested positive for the virus in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, a statement reads that during the last 24 hours, police have arrested 183 persons, lodged 94 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 1,37,290 from 848 people for violating the guidelines and rules throughout Kashmir.

The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said.

Moreover, police urged people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said. (UNI)

37 Covid patients die, 2,769 test positive in J&K

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Nadeem Nadu

28/05/2021

Govt confirms 4 Black Fungus cases in UT

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 2769 new covid-19 cases while 37 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

Among the fresh cases, they said, 964 were reported from Jammu Division and 1805 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall tally to 281628.

Regarding the fatalities, they said, 24 were confirmed from Jammu Division and 13 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 3739.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 377 cases, Baramulla 260, Budgam 195, Pulwama 196, Kupwara 217, Anantnag 205, Bandipora 78, Ganderbal 96, Kulgam 146, Shopian 35, Jammu 384, Udhampur 63, Rajouri 95, Doda 88, Kathua 50, Samba 35, Kishtwar 22, Poonch 47, Ramban 78 and Reasi 102.

The officials also stated that till now four mucormycosis (black fungus) cases have been confirmed in the J&K.

Meanwhile, they said, a number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories at CD hospital and GMC Anantnag.

The CD cases include male (40) and female (35) from Noorbagh, male (19) from Nawakadal, female (15) from Aalikadal, female (30) from Kanimazar, male (38) from Urdu Bazar, two females (30, 28) from Aalikadal, female (33) from Sarafkadal, male (12) from Bulbulankar, female (30) from Rajouri Kadal, female (34) from Bemina, male (20) from Batmaloo, female (26) from Malora, female (07) from Natipora, two females (23, 23) from Lal Chowk, female (30) from Tengpora, male (60) from Habba Kadal, female (48) from Safakadal, female (36) from Alochibagh, female (30) from Gulshan Nagar, male (30) and two females (35, 26) from Bemina, two females (60, 27) from Batamaloo, female (23) and male (68) from Bemina, male (44) from Lasjan, female (45) from Batamaloo, male (24) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (52) from Jahangir Chowk, male (23) from Chattabal, two females (42, 08) from Natipora, male (18) from Bal Garden, female (55) and male (32) from Qamarwari, male (21) from Lal Bazar, two males (32, 65) from Shaheed Gunj, male (39) from Parraypora, male (18) from Shivpora, male (NA) from Padshabagh, male (38) from Sangam, female (27) from Habba Kadal, two males (23, 55) and female (53) from Gojwara, two males (55, 80) from Srg, male (40) from Safakadal, female (60) from Banihal, female (40) from Soura, female (35) from Natipora, female (40) from Awantipora, female (50) from Budgam, female (50) from Nawakadal, female (67) from Nishat, male(40) from Noorbagh, male (70) from Baspora Srg, male (41) from Bandipora Karan Nagar, male (45) from Fatehkadal, male (26) from Sanat Nagar, male (40) from Iqbal Colony, male (16) from Balgarden, male (24) and female (23) from Eidgah Srg, male (30) from Gulabagh, female (26) from Panthachowk, male (45) from Pahalgam, male (80) from Nawakadal Srg, male (65) from Karan Nagar Srg, male (22) from Batmaloo Srg, female (30) male Islamabad, female (38) from Baramulla, female (35) from Baghi Mehtab, female (65) from Rainawari, two males (NA, 35) from Fatehkadal, male (NA) from Nawa Kadal, two males (44, 34) from Soura, male (48) from Safa Kadal, male (27) from Natipora, female (50) and male (51) from New Theed, two females (30, 06M) from Pandrathan, male (62) from Hazratbal, male (50) from Lal Bazar, male (35) from Malla Bagh, female (55) from Shalimar, female (37) from Lal Bazar, male (35) from Soura, female (23) from Kanitar, female (19) from Batapora, three males (15, 13, 48) from Lal Bazar, female (35) and male (82) from Saderbal, female (34) from 90 Ft Soura, female (37) from Hawal, female (25) from Khimber, female (45) and male (50) from Baghat Shoora, two females (27, 55) from Buchpora, female (65) and two males (40, 60) from Umer Colony, male (37) from Aalikadal, female (55) and male (58) from Khanyar, two males (55, 45) from Zoonimar, two males (50, 30) from Elahibagh, two males (44, 42) from Nowshera, female (33) from Gojwara, two females (50, 30) from Rainawari, male (49) from Mastpora, male (48) and two females (38, 25) from Tengwani, male (34) from Arwani, female (28) from Aglar, male (38) from Frisal, female (19) from Chandgam Pul, female (30) from Dachoo, female (35) from Hatipora, male (30) from Nawpora Imamsahib, female (25) from Babapora, male (70) and five females (70, 20, 16, 35, 11) from Sugoo, female (22) from Bandpawa, female (30) from Moolu, male (20) from T Wangam, male (35) from Maldeera, male (80) from Nuly Poshwari, male (40) from Allawpora, male (47) from Heff Khurrey, female (30) from Arhama, female (26) from S. Karewa, male (65) from Lasjan, male (52) from Samboora, two females (22, 19) from Narbal, male (48) and three females (18, 40, 33) from Khrew, female (70) from Mandekpal, female (32) from Wuyan, male (65) from Namlabal Pampore, male (21) and female (21) from Panthachowk, male (37) and two females (20, 18) from Murran Pul, female (22) from Sirnoo Pul, male (45) from Gatroo, female (35) from Buchoo, male (14) from Lariyar, male (19) and two females (50, 17) from Rathsuna, female (12) from Pinglish, female (06) and male (49) from Tral, female (40) from Nowdal, female (18) from Sanat Nagar, female (36) from Tulsi Bagh, female (35) from Chanapora, female (60) from Srg, male (65) from HMT, male (32) from Ganderbal, female (55) from Baghi Mehtab, male (27) from Gilhkadal, male (45) from Garipora, female (75) from Baghi Mehtab, female (60) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (30) from Bemina, male (50) from Nowshera, male (52) from Lal Bazar, male (23) from Hawal and female (45) from Badamwari.

The GMC cases Anantnag include male (30) from Bijbehara Ang, female (43) from Anchidora Ang, male (45) from Sarnal, male (43) from Banihal, male (40) from Dangerpora Ang, male (23) from Bijbehara Ang, female (18) from Mir Bazar Ang, male (85) from Khanabal Ang, female (35) from Parigam Ang, male (19) from Iqbalabad Ang, male (32) from Muqdampora Ang, female (06) from Gopalpora, female (20) from Donipawa, female (26) and male (28) from Gopalpora, female (36) from Arwani, male (0.5) from Ashajipora, male (65) from Dailgam, female (28) from Gulshan Abad, male (25) from Kotwal Chek Anch, male (35) from Mir Danter, female (37) from Hard Tooru, male (68) from Azadpora Anchidora, male (17) from New Qazibagh, female (56) from Janglat Mandi, female (64) from New Qazibagh, male (38) from Brakpora, female (30) from Hazratbal Ang, male (13) and female (06) from Shirpora, two males (37, 33) and female (28) from Dialgam, male (23) from Khanabal, male (32) from Krangsoo, male (64) from Nambal, male (30) from Khanabal, male (23) from Dialgam, male (03) from Anchidora Ang, female (35) from Kheribal, female (24) from Iqbalabad, female (62) from Shamsipora, three males (55, 25, 23) from Sarnal Ang, female (40) and male (30) from R C Pora Salia, male (35) from D K Pora, male (15) from KB Pora, female (20) from Kokergund, female (60) from Q-bal, male (51) from CR Pora, two males (40, 35) and two females (38, 60) from Nandimarg, two males (25, 45) from Manzgam, male (57) from Ruhoo, male (31) from Donipawa, male (47) from Magraypora, male (21) from Khanabal, male (40) from Ranipora, female (36) from Ashajipora, female (23) from Furrah, male (46) from Lal Chowk, female (50) from Kokernag, two females (36, 70) and male (25) from Shirpora, male (25) from Gumri Wadwan, female (45) from Tailwan and female (35) from Ranipora. (GNS)

India logs 2.11 lakh cases, 3,847 deaths

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United News Of India

28/05/2021

New Delhi: India registered 2,11,298 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 3,847 casualties in the past 24 hours, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

The fresh addition took the cumulative caseload to 2,73,69,093 while the death toll soared to 3,15,235.

The active caseload in the country is 24,19,907 comprising 8.84 per cent of the total infections while 2,46,33,951 people have recovered from disease so far amounting to 90.01 per cent of recovery rate. The case fatality rate stands at 1.15 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 33,69,69,353 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of this, 21,57,857 were tested in the past one day.

On the vaccination front, a total of 20,26,95,874 people have been vaccinated across the country till now with 18,85,805 administered in the last 24 hours.

MHA extends containment measures till June 30

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United News Of India

28/05/2021

New Delhi: With an aim to check on the spread of the deadly second surge of Coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday extended nationwide Covid 19 containment measures till June 30.

In a communication to the State Chief Secretaries, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said the order dated April 29, 2021, issued to ensure compliance to the containment measures for COVID-19, as conveyed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) D.O. letter dated April 25, 2021, has been extended up to 30th June 2021.

Noting that the strict implementation of containment and other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and active cases, across States and Union Territories (UTs), barring some areas in the Southern and North-Eastern regions, Mr Bhalla further said that despite the declining trend, the number of active cases presently have been still very high, therefore the containment measures may continue to be implemented strictly.

Any relaxation by States/UTs may be considered at an appropriate time, in a graded manner, after assessing the local situation, requirements, and resources, he added.

The Home Secretary also asked them to continue compliance to the containment measures, as has been advised by MoHFW in their letter dated 25.04.2021, to fully overcome the pandemic and the necessary directions may be issued to district authorities in the respective states UT, for taking all necessary measures along with the disseminating the awareness to the public and the field functionaries, for their effective implementation. (UNI)

DRDO hospitals in J&K to be completed soon: Atal Dulloo

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Jahangeer Ganaie

28/05/2021

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The work on two Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) hospitals in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions is in full swing and both hospitals are almost near completion.

Officials in the health department said that around 95 percent work has been completed on DRDO hospital Jammu already while work on the pending part is going on in full swing and it is expected to be completed in the next two to three days.

They said that around 80 percent of the work has also been completed on DRDO hospital in Central Kashmir and is expected to get completed in the first week of June.

The officials said that such facilities in both divisions was the need of the hour and it will greatly help the locals.

Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo said that work on both DRDO hospitals is going on with full speed and both hospitals will start functioning very soon.

He said that DRDO hospital in Jammu will be completed in the next two days and DRDO hospital in Kashmir will be completed by June 05.

The DRDO had started construction of two 500-bed hospitals one each in Jammu and Kashmir.

The 500 bed Covid hospital is being constructed at State land near Amarnath Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu.

In Kashmir, the hospital is being constructed at Khanmoh area in the outskirts of Srinagar.

The hospitals will have 500 isolation beds with oxygen support including 125 fully equipped ICU beds.

Meanwhile, in a bid to prevent further spread of Covid-19 in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Financial Commissioner (FC), Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department said that the govt has initiated a programme, ‘Training for Master trainers’ wherein frontline workers at block and village level shall be trained to conduct Covid-19 tests and besides raise awareness among masses about Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

The FC, H&ME said this during the inauguration of a training programme titled, ‘Training of Trainers for Covid-19 Management and Possible 3rd Wave’ at JLNM Hospital, here.

Among others, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, P K Pole; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Ajiaz Assad; Director, Health Services Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather and other officers of the Health department.

Speaking on the occasion, Dulloo said that the current trend of Covid-19 cases show that the virus has spread in villages while earlier it was limited to cities and major towns and to overcome the challenge this training programme has been organised.

He said that under ‘Training for Master trainers’, frontline workers including Anganwadi workers, Asha Workers, ANM, Sarpanchs, Panchs, Lumberdars, Chowkidars and other concerned shall be provided training regarding conduct of Covid tests under the supervision of Medical Officers.

He also said that they shall create awareness regarding CAB besides disposal of PPE, gloves and masks in a proper way among the rural people to curb the spread of contagious virus to rural areas.

Highlighting the importance of Covid Care Centres (CCCs), the FC H&ME said that these CCCs at Panchayat and block level; primary health centers and sub-centres will help to stop the referral of non-severe Covid patients to tertiary care hospitals which will eventually reduce pressure on such hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Div Com Kashmir said that at the beginning of the outbreak of Covid pandemic little information was available regarding the measures to contain its spread. However, Divisional administration gave first preference to ensure availability of N95 Masks, PPE kits for the physicians who were treating covid positive patients.

But, he said, the second wave created new challenges of oxygen demand regarding which various measures were taken including the establishment of oxygen plants in tertiary and district hospitals to meet the demand besides ensuring sufficient availability of oxygen cylinders.

He further said that in view of the possible emergence of third wave, the government has begun to take concrete measures starting from ‘Training for Trainers’ and establishment of functional CCCs at Panchayat level and block level. He said the training programme for master trainers shall continue till Ist June, and later the master trainers will provide training at district level to frontline workers till 10th June.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director, Health Services Kashmir, said that the motto of the programme was to prepare manpower and train them to contain the possible third wave.

He said that the DHSK will involve medical experts of various fields including Pediatrician, Anaesthesia, Microbiology, Social Preventive Medicine to impart training to ASHAS, Anganwardi workers, ANM, and other people who would be associated with the Panchayat Covid Centers including Sarpanchs, Panchs and volunteers.

In consonance with the LGs directions of creating Covid bed facility in Panchayats, the Director said that the Directorate is on the mission mode to establish five beds in each Panchayat and thirty to forty beds at block level to ensure timely and quality treatment to Covid patients.

This endeavour will also facilitate those home isolated patients who do not have a proper isolation room with bed and attached washroom.

Later, he informed that there has been no shortage of oxygen, deficiency of medicine or any other issue in Kashmir province regarding the Covid patient treatment. (KNO)

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