Shabir Ahmad Bhat
Budgam, Aug 25: The residents of Krimshore in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday complained that SDH hospital in the area is defunct as no basic facilities is being provided to patients.
According to the aggrieved residents the x-ray machine and other machines in the hospital are defunct as there is no technician available in the hospital who are run these machines due to absence of the staff the large number of people in the area is suffering.
The residents also said that some doctors have also been transferred from this hospital to other hospitals of the valley.
Ghulam Rasool a resident of the area told KNS that they have to visit other hospitals for minor problems.
They have appealed the authorities to look into the matter so the people of the area will not suffer more.
However, the health officials said that some doctors were transferred from the hospital due to covid 19. (KNS)
SDH Krimshore without basic facilities, local suffer
Police busts highway robbers gang in Awantipora, two arrested
Precious Kashmir News
Awantipora, Aug 25: Police in a major breakthrough busted a gang involved in highway robbery. Two accused have been arrested and stolen property worth thousands has also been recovered.
“On 21-08-2020, PS Awantipora received a complaint from one truck driver namely Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh resident of Hari Ganwan Kangan stating that some goons stopped his truck bearing registration number JK05A-6896 at NHW Lethpora and looted 02 cell phones and Rs10,000/- from him,” a police spokesman said.
He said FIR No. 111/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Awantipora and investigation was initiated.
“During the investigation, officers taking aid of modern and scientific methods of investigation were able to identify two accused persons involved in the commission of crime. They have been identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat resident of Malikangan Fathekadal Srinagar and Uzair Yousuf Dar resident of Babapora Sheeltang Habakadal Srinagar,” the spokesman said.
He said they have been arrested and shifted to police station Awantipora where they remain in custody.
“Looted amount of Rs 10,000/- have also been recovered from their possession. Further investigation in this regard is in progress,” he said.
Prompt grievances redress mechanism in place to ensure speedy disposal of public issues: Advisor Khan
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 25: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, Tuesday said the present dispensation has put in place a prompt public grievances redressal mechanism to facilitate the people in distress with speedy disposal of their issues and concerns.
Advisor stated this while interacting with the participants of weekly public outreach camp here at Lieutenant Governor’s Grievance Cell at Church lane.
As many as, 80 public deputations and individuals, hailing from different areas of Jammu and Kashmir, apprised the Advisor of their grievances and sought his intervention for early redress of the same.
On some projected issues, the Advisor issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned departments for time-bound solution of the same.
A deputation from Malabagh Srinagar sought construction of drainage in their areas while as a deputation from Gilikadal Zoonimar took up the issue of water dumping in Khusalsar lake in their vicinity.
Similarly, another deputation of physical education professionals demanded engagement in sports department. Another deputation of NHM employees sought hike in their salaries and other service related matters.
Representatives of Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operators Union sought continuation of their services.
Likewise, another deputation of engineers from recently abolished Self Help Groups demanded roll back on the decision to abolish these groups.
Besides, dozens of individuals from Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jammu, Sopore, Baramulla, Tral, Ganderbal, Pampore and other areas also met the Advisor and flagged their issues and grievances and sought early redressal for the same.
Advisor Khan assured the deputations and individuals that all their genuine demands and grievances would be looked into and addressed on priority.
Police book COVID-19 victim’s relatives for violating SOPs on his funeral in Srinagar
Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Aug 25: Police has registered a case against the relatives of a Coronavirus victim at Batpora area in outskirts of Srinagar for allegedly violating COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) during funeral of the deceased here last week.
Official sources said police have filed an FIR against relatives of COVID-19 victim who died last week at SMHS hospital.
They the next of kin of the deceased not only gathered in large numbers on the funeral of the deceased but also pelted stones on ambulances and other vehicles deputed with the team of health officials.
Taking cognizance of the incident, police registered a formal case under FIR number 79/2020 under section 147, 188, 427 IPC at Police Station Kralpora and investigation set into motion to ascertain facts.
It may be in place to mention that the deceased from Batpora Kralpora, was admitted at SMHS hospital on August 23 after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Sources said he succumbed to the virus the very next day.
“The body of the deceased was brought to his home in an ambulance, by health authorities for burial purposes, as per the guidelines laid down by the government. However, relatives of the deceased gathered in a large number on funeral of the deceased thereby violating prescribed COVID guidelines,” they said.
They said the relatives of the deceased besides violating protocol, damaged an ambulance and a Tata Sumo vehicle. This act of the public gathered at the funeral of the deceased posed grave threat to public health.
A police official while confirming the incident said a formal case under relevant section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at Kralpora police station and investigation taken up.
Authorities have appealed public to strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down by the government vis-à-vis COVID-19 pandemic or else there will be a major surge in positive cases which may be difficult for the administration to control. (KNO)
Faulty USG facility hits patient care at DH Bandipora
Sajid Raina
Bandipora, Aug 25: Patients at District Hospital Bandipora have been left to ‘suffer’ as since the past 40 days, the only Ultrasound machine at the hospital is lying defunct. While private medical centers are charging more, the impact is directly at poor patients.
“Thousands of patients visit the hospital on a daily basis. Many are advised to undergo ultrasound, but the machine has some faults from almost 40 days. People are forced to visit private diagnostic centers which affects poor patients, they have to pay hefty amounts which in these times is impossible”, Irfan Khan, a local resident said.
Ishfaq Ahamd, 28, who has Kidney ailment, had visited the hospital to get an USG done but he was directed to get the test done at a nearby private diagnostic lab or visit Srinagar.
“This is apathy by the authorities, it was shocking for me to know that it has been forty days since the USG machine has stopped working and they are directing everyone to visit the nearby diagnostic centres, I was told the same”, said Ishfaq.
Medical Superintendent DH Bandipora, Dr Bashir Ahmad said the machine had developed some problems and the experts have been called to fix it.
“The issue will be addressed at the earliest,” he said. (KNO)
Focus On Elderly, Children
Elderly are more vulnerable to covid-19 and according to a survey in United States, almost 30 percent of those who die due to the pestilence are more than 55 years old. Asking the elderly to self-isolate is one of the most effective COVID-19 prevention strategies. It is perhaps the reason why government time and again, through various advisories, has asked the elderly people to avoid crowded places as well visiting the religious places. However, it is not just the direct effects of the covid-19 that increases mortality and morbidity among them.
Travel restrictions and social distancing measures have a bad effect on their lives including access to healthcare.
Covid-19 has meant that older people keep missing out on treatment as Medical check-ups have become infrequent. All this is likely to show up in the mortality and morbidity rates among them.
The low literacy rate among this segment further limits their access to important information as well as technology. Isolation could be a way forward against the covid-19 but its implications are manifold including mental ill-health problems amongst the aged.
There are many Healthcare schemes like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana which can be tweaked to incorporate special provisions for the elderly. Tele-health and mobile home-based health care check-ups should be offered and ensured to them to tide over these difficult times. Such measures are essential to the right of a dignified life.
The virus has also rendered children who are out of school for many months now vulnerable especially those who belong to the families who are economically impoverished. Economic distress contributes to malnutrition and further hampers children’s health and growth parameters. Such children are also more prone to being pushed into child labour to supplement the family income. Children are cheap labour and the present situation remains ideal conditions for exploitative employers. In these fraught times, children are much more vulnerable. Apart from economics, children are, also, often caught in situations of domestic violence, which is rising at this time. In the present scenario, the government needs to figure out more proactive ways to save children as well as the elderly from the dangers that the covid-19 has heightened. There has to be more focus on medical resources and protection of these sections to make sure that their safety, health and nutritional well-being are not overlooked.
COVID-19: What happened to contact tracing, fumigation, ask people
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 24: The increase in COVID-19 cases across Kashmir has evoked concern from the common people with most of them claiming that the authorities are not paying much attention towards keeping the infection under check.
It may be recalled that when the pandemic broke out in Kashmir in March this year the administration imposed lockdown and made every effort to restrict the movement of people. Screening travelers, tracing contacts of the COVID-19 suspects and fumigating streets were done extensively.
Farooq Ahmed of Rajbagh while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “After six months the scenario has changed completely. We don’t find fumigation being carried out in any area. Neither the contacts are being traced. Everything seems to have slowed down.”
He alleged that even the doctors are “not attending” the COVID-19 patients in the hospitals. “It appears that whoever catches COVID-19 is left to fend on his own for the 14-days. If he survives it’s fine but if he doesn’t it cannot be helped,” Ahmed claimed.
However, officials believe that people are not following the COVID-19 norms and are themselves responsible for the virus not relenting. “Blaming administration for every wrong is the easiest way to get away. At present there is no lockdown but people seem least bothered about wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and carrying sanitizers,” said an official.
He said, “All of us are aware of the fact that scientists are working 24×7 to develop a vaccine, till the cure comes we have to take extra precautions to keep ourselves safe. You cannot expect administration to spoon feed people.”
During the past six months Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more than 600 COVID deaths and more than 32000 positive cases. Nearly 24000 people have recovered and resumed their normal lives. “Allegations of few people against the doctors that they are not attending the COVID-19 patients are not true. Since the day pandemic has broken out doctors are working very hard and many of them have caught COVID while performing their duties,” said a medico.
Gulzar Ahmed of Rawalpora said, “Whenever cases increase, administration threatens us with re-imposing the lockdown. It seems the helmsmen are of the opinion that imposing restrictions is the only solution but the fact is that even during the lockdown cases have kept on increasing. People blaming administration and vice-versa won’t help anyone’s cause. We need to understand that anyone can catch COVID and fall sick. It’s no point blaming each other for it. All of us know that doctors are fighting against COVID without any specific treatment and they are at the highest risk of testing positive but they need to show concern towards patients as they have nowhere to go.”
Prepared for military option against China if talks fail: CDS Rawat
New Delhi, Aug 24: India’s armed forces are prepared to look at any military option if the extensive talks to restore status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) did not yield any positive result, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat has said on the prolonged border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
Gen Rawat, who has been part of the top military brass strategising on the Sino-India border issue, said a “whole of government” approach is being followed to peacefully resolve the row.
The armed forces are always prepared for military actions if all efforts to restore status quo ante along the LAC don’t “fructify,” the CDS said when asked about the over three-month-long border row.
Gen Rawat, who was the Chief of Army Staff from December 2016 to December 2019, said the transgressions take place along the LAC because of varying perceptions about it by the two countries.
India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks in the last two-and-half months but no significant headway has been made for a resolution to the border standoff.
On Thursday, the two sides held another round of diplomatic parleys following which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said they had agreed to resolve outstanding issues in an “expeditious manner” and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Gen Rawat and the three service chiefs are regularly meeting to review India’s military preparedness in eastern Ladakh as well as to take measures in sync with the evolving situation in the region.
At the military talks, the Indian Army has been strongly insisting that restoration of the status quo ante of April this year by China is the only way to resolve the row, according to government sources.
There is a growing view in the Army that the Chinese military is not serious about the resolution of the border conflict as it is resorting to “back and forth” negotiations while the Indian side has very clearly conveyed about its position on the matter.
Sources said notwithstanding the border row, India has been carrying on with the work on laying new roads in the Ladakh region besides developing other key infrastructure.
“Our road construction is not in response to PLA infrastructure development but based on our requirements and those of our people,” said a source.
The formal process of disengagement of troops began on July 6, a day after a nearly two-hour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tensions in the area. However, the process has not moved forward since mid-July.
The PLA has pulled back from Galwan Valley and certain other friction points but the withdrawal of troops has not moved forward in Pangong Tso, Depsang and a couple of other areas, sources said.
In the five rounds of Corps commander-level talks, the Indian side has been insisting on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April.
Even as both sides are engaged in diplomatic and military talks, the Indian army is making elaborate preparations to maintain its current strength of troops in all key areas in eastern Ladakh in the harsh winter months.
Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has already conveyed to all the senior commanders of the Army, overseeing operation of the frontline formations along the LAC, to maintain a significantly high state of alertness to deal with any Chinese “misadventure”, the sources said.
The Army is also in the process of procuring a number of weapons, ammunition and winter gears for the frontline troops, they added. The temperature in some of the high-altitude areas along the LAC drops to minus 25 degree celsius in the winter months.
The tension between the two sides escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley on June 15 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details.
According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35.
COVID-19 kills 8 more in Kashmir
Srinagar, August 24: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday reported eight more COVID-19 deaths, taking the fatality count due to the virus in the Union Territory to 633.
Among the victims, official sources told GNS that three were residents of Kupwara, two from Budgam, as many from Pulwama and one from Bandipora.
They said a 70-year-old woman from Noor pora Tral in Pulwama district died during wee hours at SMHS hospital, 13 days after she was admitted and diagnosed with bilateral community acquired pneumonia.
A 65-year-old man from Lapora Kupwara, they said, was brought to SMHS hospital in wee hours and doctors declared him death on arrival. He was a covid positive and was referred to the hospital from GMC Baramulla , the sources said.
A 70-year-old woman from Lolab Kupwara who was admitted as a case of bilateral community acquired pneumonia, hypertension and ARDS died two weeks after she was admitted to the hospital, they said.
Also a COVID-19 positive man from Kralpora Kupwara having underlining ailments died at the hospital in Srinagar, officials at Kupwara told GNS.
A woman from Khanda Budgam died three days after she was admitted to SKIMS Soura and her swab sample was detected as positive for covid-19 at the diagnostic laboratory of the hospital, they said.
An 87-year-old man from Chadoora Budgam died today, nine days after he was admitted to SKIMS Soura
Sources said that a 45-year-old man Pinglen Pulwama died five days after he was admitted to the CD hospital, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the COVID-19.
Officials said that one person from Bandipora also died due to covid-19.
With these deaths, 586 people have died in Kashmir Valley and 47 from Jammu.
COVID-19: JK reports 428 fresh cases, tally crosses 33000 mark
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Aug 24: As many as 428 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, thus taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 33075, officials said.
They said of the fresh cases 274 tested positive in Kashmir and 154 in Jammu.
Moreover, 373 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 95 from Jammu Division and 278 from Kashmir Division.
According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 33075 positive cases, 7246 are Active Positive, 25205 have recovered and 624 have died; 47 in Jammu division and 577 in Kashmir division.
The Bulletin further said that out of 877836 test results available, 844761 samples have been tested as negative till August 24, 2020.
Till date 435205 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation which included 43158 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 7246 in isolation and 41652 under home surveillance. Besides, 342525 persons have completed their surveillance period.
Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 8151 positive cases (including 78 cases reported today) with 1353 Active Positive, 6601 recovered (including 87 cases recovered today), 197 deaths; Baramulla has 2649 positive cases (including 09 cases reported today) with 576 Active Positive, 1975 recovered (including 15 cases recovered today), 98 deaths; Pulwama reported 2329 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 427 active positive cases, 1858 recovered (including 14 cases recovered today), 44 deaths; Kulgam has 1850 positive cases (including 11 cases reported today) with 248 Active Positive, 1571 recoveries (including 06 cases recovered today), 31 deaths; Shopian has 1631 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 98 Active Positive, 1506 recovered (including 13 cases recovered today), 27 deaths; Anantnag district has 2102 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 472 Active Positive, 1585 recovered (including 06 cases recovered today), 45 deaths; Budgam has 2157 positive cases (including 27 cases reported today) with 560 Active Positive and 1544 recovered (including 47 cases recovered today), 53 deaths; Kupwara has 1839 positive cases (including 25 cases reported today) with 561 Active Positive, 1236 recovered (including 13 cases recovered today), 42 deaths; Bandipora has 1886 positive cases (including 65 cases reported today) with 840 Active Positive, 1022 recovered (including 32 cases recovered today), 24 deaths and Ganderbal has 1207 positive cases (including 25 cases reported today) with 581 active positive cases, 610 recoveries (including 45 cases reported today) and 16 deaths.
Similarly, Jammu has 2387 positive cases (including 65 cases reported today) with 653 active positive cases, 1702 recoveries (including 32 cases recovered today), 32 deaths; Rajouri has 832 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 85 active positive cases, 744 recovered (including 03 cases reported today), 03 deaths; Ramban has 642 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 21 active positive, 620 recoveries (including 11 cases recovered today), 01 death; Kathua has 744 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 128 Active positive, 615 recovered (including 05 cases recovered today), 01 death; Udhampur has 731 positive cases (including 19 cases reported today) with 104 active positive cases, 625 recovered (including 07 cases recovered today), 02 deaths; Samba has 646 positive cases (including 15 cases reported today) with 204 Active Positive, 440 recoveries (including 09 cases reported today), 02 deaths; Doda has 374 positive cases (including 04 cases reported today) with 63 active positive cases, 309 recoveries, 02 deaths; Poonch has 364 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 63 active positive, 298 recoveries (including 09 cases recovered today), 03 deaths; Reasi has 358 positive cases (including 02 cases reported today) with 189 active positive, 169 recoveries (including 14 cases recovered today) and Kishtwar has 196 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 20 active positive cases and 175 recoveries (including 05 cases reported today) and 01 death .
According to the bulletin, of the total 33075 positive cases in J&K 5991 have been reported as travelers while 27084 as others.
The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.
The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.
As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.
The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.
Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”
In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.
People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).
The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussive, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 8.21 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensued during this pandemic.
Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.
