Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 2: The District Administration Srinagar has so far assisted more than 7300 non-COVID health emergencies and ailment cases, with assistance ranging from free dialysis, transportation, drugs, medical check-ups, hospital assistance, chemotherapies and other required assistance.
At the onset of COVID-response in Kashmir a special helpline was launched by the district administration more than 2 months ago to take care of existing health issues with special focus on patients suffering from kidney ailments, diabetes or cancer, those requiring dialysis, chemotherapies, anti-diabetic drugs, essential and life-saving drugs among other listed priorities including pregnancies.
The administration launched an IVRS based Call Centre in April aiming a holistic response to various emergencies and COVID related coordination as well as addressing public grievances. A dedicated cell in the Call Centre was earmarked for non-COVID health issues. More than 7300 patients have been assisted by the team up to June 1
District Magistrate, Srinagar Shahid Choudhary, who launched this special initiative aimed at minimizing hardships faced by the patients said that more than 7300 patients have been assisted so far, free of cost, which included dialysis, chemotherapies, essential medicines, transportation, and other requirements registered in the call centre.
“Dialysis has remained a major demand, with 3292 patients assisted by the helpline at 12 different designated dialysis centres in the city. Free medicines were delivered to 1811 patients by roping in drug control organization, magistrates, police officers, NYC volunteers, and zonal officers appointed for various areas. Apart from this prescribed life-saving and essential drugs were arranged from New Delhi through air cargo on-demand and delivered to patients at their doorsteps,” he said.
Further, the lack of public transport was a concern for patients. In this regard, the district administration also put in place a dedicated fleet of vehicles that were engaged for patient assistance.
“Sixteen vehicles were deployed for movement of such patients who contacted the call centre. By the end of May, 396 patients availed transportation assistance. The helpline also attended 39 emergencies including fire incidents, accidents, and injuries. It also assisted 107 expecting mothers for required medical care,” he said.
Anti-diabetic drugs and check-ups were availed by 311 patients in the city while 178 cases of Chemotherapies were assisted at various health institutions and centres in the city.
It is pertinent to mention here that the administration pooled resources from several schemes, untied grants, district resources as well as few donations from philanthropists. The dialysis centres also agreed for non-profit-no-loss services for the cases referred by the district administration.
These services were started in view of lock-down announced for COVID containment. The patients facing inconveniences due to lockdown were identified and assisted by the administration.
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