SRINAGAR: In the backdrop of rising cases of dengue, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Principal Dr Ashutosh Gupta on Wednesday said the department is fully prepared to cope with the situation. "Jammu GMC is fully prepared to cope...

SRINAGAR: National Health Mission, J&K, today released ranking of Public Health facilities on Hospital Management Information System (JK e Sahaj) for the month of February 2023. In first phase of implementation, 578 facilities have been covered under this initiative and will be further extended to other facilities in a phased manner. In the category of Associated Hospitals of Government Medical Colleges, the first rank has been clinched by Chest Disease Hospital Jammu followed by Psychiatric Disease Hospital, Jammu, GMC Baramulla, AH GMC Rajouri, and GMC Doda. The bottom five in this category included SMHS GMC Srinagar, Kashmir Nursing Home, Srinagar, Children Hospital Bemina, Srinagar, Psychiatric Disease Hospital, Srinagar and GMC Kathua. In the category of District Hospitals, first rank has been secured by DH Shopian followed by DH Reasi, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu; DH Samba and DH JLNM, Srinagar. The bottom five in this category included DH Kishtwar, DH Handwara, DH Pulwama, DH Ramban and DH Ganderbal. In the category of Community Health Centres (CHCs), CHC Ramgarh bagged first rank followed by CHC Zainpora, CHC Dooru EH Vijaypur and CHC Seer. The bottom five in this category included CHC Darhal, CHC Magam, CHC Zachaldara, CHC Thatri and CHC Tral. In the category of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and UPHCs, first rank has been clinched by PHC Achabal followed by PHC Mattan, PHC Kakapora, PHC Srigfwara and PHC Aishmuqam. The bottom five in this category included UPHC Sangam, PHC Thakrakote, PHC Teetwal, PHC Massu and PHC Machil. JK e-sahaj (Electronic System for Automation of Hospital Administration J&K) initiative was formally launched in November 2022 as part of Jashn-e-Sehat, by the Lieutenant Governor, J&K, for different types of facilities i.e. Tertiary care, District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and some New Type PHCs. JK E -Sahaj has been integrated with Rapid Assessment System (RAS), 104 Centralised Health Helpline for outbound calling and RCH portal of MoHFW, Government of India. The ranking has been done on the basis of registration, conversion of EMR (Electronic Medical Record) and Patient feedback uploaded on the portal of JK e Sahaj for the month of February 2023, on real time basis. The detailed list of facilities has been shared on NHM website. (GNS)

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, and Kashmir has not been immune to its effects. Located in the northernmost region of India, Kashmir has been hit hard by the pandemic, with a significant increase in the number of cases and deaths. The local and national authorities have responded in various ways to this crisis, but there have been both successes and failures in their efforts. One of the most significant challenges in Kashmir has been the lack of medical infrastructure and resources. The region has a shortage of hospitals, doctors, and medical equipment, making it difficult to provide adequate care to Covid-19 patients. In addition, the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has created further obstacles, as travel restrictions and communication blackouts have made it difficult for medical professionals to reach those in need. Despite these challenges, the local authorities have made efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Kashmir. They have implemented measures such as lockdowns, social distancing guidelines, and mask mandates to help reduce the transmission of the virus. These measures have had some success in slowing the spread of Covid-19, but they have also had a negative impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of many people. The national government has also provided support to the region, such as providing financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic. However, the government has been criticized for not doing enough to address the healthcare crisis in Kashmir. Some have accused the government of neglecting the region. One of the most significant challenges faced by the authorities in Kashmir has been misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding Covid-19. Some people have refused to follow public health guidelines or seek medical treatment due to beliefs that the virus is a hoax or that vaccines are harmful. This has made it difficult for authorities to control the spread of the virus and has led to unnecessary deaths. In response, the authorities have launched public awareness campaigns to educate people about the seriousness of Covid-19 and the importance of following public health guidelines. These campaigns have included messages from local leaders and medical professionals, as well as social media campaigns and outreach to religious leaders. Despite these efforts, there have been failures in the response to the pandemic in Kashmir. The lack of medical infrastructure has made it difficult to provide adequate care to Covid-19 patients, and there have been reports of patients dying due to lack of oxygen and other essential medical supplies. In addition, the conflict in the region has made it difficult for medical professionals to reach those in need, further exacerbating the crisis. The pandemic has also highlighted existing inequalities in the region. Many people in Kashmir live in poverty, and the lockdowns and other measures put in place to combat Covid-19 have had a severe impact on their livelihoods. The government's financial assistance programs have been criticized for not doing enough to support these vulnerable communities. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Kashmir, and the response of the local and national authorities has been mixed. While there have been some successes in slowing the spread of the virus and providing financial assistance, there have also been significant challenges and failures, particularly in addressing the healthcare crisis in the region. Moving forward, it is essential that the authorities in Kashmir continue to prioritize public health and work to address the underlying inequalities and challenges that have been highlighted by the pandemic. Only then can the region recover from this crisis and build a more resilient and equitable future.