Srinagar: Increase in number of COVID-19 cases across the country has sent the alarm bells ringing. The second wave of the Coronavirus has arrived.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, while chairing the virtual meeting of chief ministers earlier this week had asked them to get the vaccination drive expedited and COVID-19 sops need to be enforced to prevent the situation from taking an ugly turn.
An official while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The J&K administration is gearing up to meet any eventuality and system is being put in place to face any crisis like situation.”
It’s in place to mention here that in J&K also there has been spike in the positive cases. The administration on Thursday said that it is getting ready to administer 3 lakh vaccine doses in a day and preparations are on to make the plan work.
President of Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said that vaccination is critical to end the pandemic phase of the virus. “When enough people will get vaccination against the virus, and that too quickly we may see an end to the pandemic soon. Even with the vaccination, virus is going to stay around and cause smaller outbreaks, much like seasonal flu.”
In February this year the experts had warned about second wave of COVID-19 breaking out in the country. They had stressed on the need for taking all the precautions to keep the virus at bay. “The COVID-19 variant has mutated so we need to be careful. Wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are must to defeat the virus which has changed its colour. People should not hesitate in getting themselves vaccinated. We need to learn from our past experiences. The first wave of COVID taught has many things. Sticking to basics is the key,” the medico added.
Union Health Ministry on Friday said that India recorded a whopping 39,726 new COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, pushing the country caseload to 1,15,14,331, while the death toll soared to 1,59,370 with 154 more fatalities. It said the active cases rose by 18,918 to stand at 2,71,282. It is now 2.20 per cent of the total caseload. The fatality rate stood at 1.39 per cent.
Another medico said, “The rise in COVID-19 cases is an indication that J&K needs to remain prepared. In fact there has been surge in the infections during the past few days in Kashmir as well as the Jammu region.”
He said, “May be the vaccine may not make people completely immune but it can at least save lives and prevent the virus from becoming deadly. The vaccines are safe. Getting vaccinated will equip us to fight the second wave of the COVID-19 more effectively.”

“After being converted into medical college, the patient rush at the facility has almost doubled. However, the staff strength of the cardiology department continues to be same.”

Anantnag: More than a couple of years after the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag was made operational, the major healthcare facility in this south Kashmir district has no ECO cardiogram.

The failure of the authorities to purchase and install the equipment is forcing the patients with severe heart issues to seek treatment from private hospitals and clinics.

“This is irony that the medical college has no ECO facility available despite huge availability of funds. Authorities here are spending money on unnecessary things,” said a doctor posted at the hospital.

He said that the GMC authorities for last one year have been claiming to have placed the order for the ECO cardiogram but the same is yet to arrive.

In the absence of the facility poor patients are forced either to visit Srinagar hospitals or get the test done at private diagnostic centers where they are charged Rs 1800 to  Rs 2000.

The GMC Anantnag, which earlier was a district hospital is one of the crowded hospitals in the Valley catering to the patients from all the four southern districts.
After being converted into medical college, the patient rush at the facility has almost doubled. However, the staff strength of the cardiology department continues to be same.

The department, a source said, is run by a single doctor since it started functioning nearly three years ago.

“A single cardiologist and few para-medics run the cardiology department as a result of which patients are seen in the OPD only twice a week,” said a paramedic posted in the hospital.

TMT machine in the hospital is also too old and medical college authorities seem to be in no mood to purchase one more machine.

Despite repeated attempts Principal GMC , Anantnag, Dr Showkat Jeelani did not respond to the repeated calls from Precious Kashmir.

Medical Superintendent of the hospital, however said that they have placed order for the purchase of ECO machine almost a year ago.

“We are supposed to make such purchases through Jammu Kashmir Medical Corporation. I think the machine will arrive in the hospital very soon,” the MS said.