Director flags high COPD burden in J&K
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, is set to receive 100 new ventilators and two additional oxygen plants, Director Professor Mohammad Ashraf Ganie said today.
He said the procurement process has already been initiated by JKMSCL and stressed the parallel need to strengthen trained manpower.
“I am personally exploring all avenues to fill the gap alongside infrastructure expansion,” he noted, citing urgent winter preparedness, the rising burden of respiratory diseases and high prevalence of lung cancer in J&K.
Prof. Ganie was speaking at a program organised by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, to mark World COPD Day, during which SKIMS issued a comprehensive public health advisory on three common winter-related health conditions.
The day-long CME-cum-workshop was themed “Shortness of Breath – Think COPD.”
Highlighting COPD as the second leading cause of death and noting its particularly high prevalence in J&K, he called for a comprehensive screening strategy for early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases such as COPD.
“Early diagnosis and prevention are central to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases,” he said.
He emphasised that SKIMS must now strive for global recognition through its specialised skills and resources.
As part of the observance, the Departments of General Medicine, Cardiology and Neurology jointly issued a Winter Health Advisory aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging precautionary measures against common cold-season health conditions.
Managing Director JKMSCL Tariq H. Ganie, who was also present reaffirmed JKMSCL’s commitment to providing ventilators and other essential support in anticipation of rising winter-related health conditions.
Dean Medical Faculty SKIMS Prof. G. M. Gulzar and Principal SKIMS Medical College Prof. Fazal Q. Parray also addressed the event.
HOD Internal Medicine Prof. Sunaullah Shah delivered a detailed overview of COPD, noting that over 4 million people globally are affected, with a worldwide prevalence of 12%.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Organising Secretary Dr. Nazia Mehfooz.
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