SRINAGAR, JULY 16 – Rebutting the rumors by some vested interests regarding the paucity of medicines in the Valley hospitals, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today said all hospitals in Kashmir have adequate stock of essential drugs and all other necessary diagnostic facilitates to deal with any kind of emergency. He said authorities are keeping close watch on the situation and wherever any shortfall is noticed the same is being addressed quickly.         

Reacting to some media reports regarding the working of the health and medical education during the prevailing law and order situation in Valley, the Minister said that he himself is monitoring the activities of the department viz-a-viz availability of drugs, diagnostic equipments, and blood round the clock in all the health institutions across the Valley. All the health institutions are working in a well-coordinated way and responding quickly to every patient, said the Minister.      

Appealing the people not to pay any heed to the rumor mongers, the Minister sought help from all individuals for allowing free movement of Ambulances to shift the injured to hospitals and maintaining peace in the Valley. He also expressed anguish over the damage of substantial health infrastructure including 93 ambulances by the miscreants. He said health infrastructure is meant for every common man and causing harm to it means creating trouble for the patients whosoever they may be.         

Listing the measures initiated by the Government for strengthening the medicare facilities, particularly in the aftermath of violence in the Valley, the Minister said that under a special drive, the department has collected over 300 units of blood in Anantnag, Sopore, Baramulla, Pattan, Handwara, Chadoora, Nasarullahpora hospitals for meeting the requirements. To meet the future requirements, the department is in close contact with the volunteers, who are in readiness to donate blood on short notice, said the Minister.         

Elaborating further, the Minister said that five Operation Theatres are working round the clock in SMHS Hospital and senior consultants are providing regular services to the patients. He said instructions have been issued to all the heads of institutions to personally monitor the activities and ensuring best possible treatment to the patients. The authorities have been directed to provide free medicines and other diagnostic facilities to the patients during their treatment in the hospitals. In case of any emergency, assistance, suggestions, lapses with regard to health services, the people are free to approach him on telephone, the Minister maintained.