Health

Jammu and Kashmir: Centre grants 265 DNB postgraduate medical seats

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Jammu and Kashmir: Centre grants 265 DNB postgraduate medical seats 1

Srinagar: The Central government has granted 265 Diplomate of National Board (DNB) postgraduate medical seats to several government hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir which includes 20 districts, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a press release on Tuesday.

The move will benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the doctors there who will get an opportunity to be trained in their own region. Tapping into this homegrown medical workforce will lead to an effective healthcare in the Union Territory, the health ministry added.

“With the vision of providing trained specialists in almost every district of Jammu and Kashmir, the government of India took this as a challenge in a mission mode,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Health along with National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) took a lead role and ensured that several postgraduate seats of NBEMS are granted to various government hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir.

As a consequence, at present there exist more than 250 PG seats across 20 districts in phase 1 of the expansion plan. Two more PG seats will be granted in the second phase.

About half of the PG seats are reserved for local in-service doctors to provide them with opportunity for postgraduate training.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefited as modern quality healthcare will become more affordable and accessible in almost all the districts. This in turn, would further enhance the quality of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare,” the health ministry said.

The government has also increased the number of examination centers in the UT to ensure that the candidates do not have to travel to other states to appear in the entrance examinations.

Crime Branch produces chargesheet against Haryana resident in Mobile tower installation fraud

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Crime Branch produces chargesheet against Haryana resident in Mobile tower installation fraud 2

Srinagar, Nov 2: The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has produced Charge-sheet against a Haryana resident regarding fraud in Mobile tower installation.

The statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS),reads: The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has produced Charge-sheet in Case FIR No. 14/2020 U/S 420 RPC, 66-D IT Act of P/S Crime Branch Kashmir (EOW, Srinagar) against Sumit Kumar S/o Bagwandas R/o House No. 327, Ward No. 19 Aryanagar Bahadurgarh Haryana-124507 Before the Hon’ble Court of Sub Registrar Srinagar.”

The instant case had been registered upon receipt of written complaint, wherein it was alleged by the complainant that he was cheated online by some fraudsters, it added.
The investigation conducted revealed that the complainant had been cheated by Sumit Kumar S/o Bagwandas R/o House No. 327, Ward No. 19 Aryanagar Bahadurgarh Haryana-124507 on pretext that a Mobile Tower be installed and for the purpose of registration the complainant made to deposit a huge amount as registration fee, statement issued said.

“The Economic Offence Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has once again advised the general public to be vigilant and never respond to any Unknown Messages, Calls and Requests,” it said.(KNS)

Breast cancer rising in Kashmir: DAK seeks mammography facilities at PHCs

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LD Hospital Srinagar

Srinagar: With rise in breast cancer cases in Kashmir, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday has sought mammography facilities at valley’s primary health centers for early detection of breast cancer cases.

“Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Dr Hassan said mammogram is the X-ray of the breast. It is the best way to detect breast cancer early before there are signs and symptoms of the disease.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Kashmiri women and women should be screened annually after they turn 40,” he said.

“Those who are at high risk for breast cancer, such as women with family history of breast cancer or genetic risk factors for the disease should start screening before age 40,” he added.

The DAK President said results from many decades of research clearly shows that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have found breast cancer earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatment, and are more likely to be cured.

He said for a population of 7 million people, Kashmir has only one machine at GMC Srinagar. Lack of screening facilities is a barrier for early detection of breast cancer cases.

Dr Nisar said Kashmir has witnessed a rise in breast cancer cases over the years.

In the last 2 years over 1000 females with breast cancer have been registered with population-based cancer register operational at SKIMS Soura.

The valley experiences a high death rate of breast cancer patients which is mainly because of late presentation.

“Women in Kashmir because of socio-cultural structure and religious values are hesitant to get their breasts examined by male health-care providers, hence the need for more women specialists in peripheral healthcare,” he said.

General Secretary DAK Dr Arshad Ali said in conservative milieu, women in Kashmir feel shy of sharing any breast related issue with their family members and even feel embarrassed in practicing breast self examination which is the easiest method for the detection of breast tumors.

“There is a dire need to educate and make women aware about the importance of screening which can catch the disease early when it is most curable,” he said.
“The month of October is globally observed as breast cancer awareness month,” he added.(KNS)

NHM J&K releases ranking of Public Health facilities on Hospital Management Information System

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NHM J&K releases ranking of Public Health facilities on Hospital Management Information System (JK e Sahaj)

Srinagar:  The Union Territory of J&K has started the implementation of Hospital Management Information System which is named as JK e -Sahaj (Electronic System for Automation of Hospital Administration J&K) in different types of facilities i.e. Tertiary care, District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and some New Type PHCs. In first phase of implementation 575 facilities have been covered under this initiative and will be further extended to other facilities in phased manner. JK E -Sahaj has been integrated with Rapid Assessment System (RAS) and 104 Centralised Health Helpline for outbound calling.

In the category of Associated Hospitals of Govt. Medical Colleges the  first rank has been clinched by Psychiatric Disease Hospital, Jammu followed by Chest Disease Hospital, Jammu, Govt. Dental College, Srinagar , Bone & Joint Hospital, Srinagar and GMC Kathua.

In the category of District Hospitals first rank has been clinched by DH Samba followed by DH Poonch, DH Bandipora , Govt Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu & DH Kulgam.

In the category of Community Health Centres (CHCs) , first rank has been clinched by CHC Seer, followed by CHC Bijbehara, CHC Yaripora and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Jammu & CHC Kreeri.

In the category of Primary Health Centres (PHCs)& UPHCS, first rank has been clinched by PHC Kakapora followed by PHC Aishmuqam, PHC Zadibal, PHC Mattan & PHC Boniyar.

Hospital Ranking has been assigned for different categories of facilities i.e. Associated Hospitals of Govt. Medical Colleges, District Hospitals, CHCs and PHCs. 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 September 2022, on real time basis. The detailed list of facilities is shared on NHM website.(KNS)

Kashmir reports 04 fresh Covid-19 cases, Jammu 0

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Kashmir reports 04 fresh Covid-19 cases, Jammu 0 3

Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday recorded 04 fresh Covid cases, taking the number of infected persons to 479249, while no fatality reported due to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said.

Of the new cases, 00 were from the Jammu division and 04 from the Kashmir division of the union territory, Officials said.

There are 40 active cases in the union territory while the number of recoveries so far has been 474424, officials said.

04 Covid-19 patients recovered today, 00 from Jammu division and 04 from Kashmir division, they said.

Samples Of Two Suspected Monkeypox Cases From Uri Turn Negative

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Samples Of Two Suspected Monkeypox Cases From Uri Turn Negative 4

Srinagar- The samples of two suspected Monkeypox cases from Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have turned negative, officials said here on Wednesday.

News agency KNO quoting Block medical officer Boniyar Dr Parvaiz Masoodi reported that samples of two persons that were sent to SKIMS Microbiology lab for screening have returned negative for monkeypox.

Earlier, he had said that eight suspected monkeypox cases have been reported in Uri, however, CMO Baramulla denied the same and said that there was no need to panic.

Drug Controller urges ADCs to identify formalities from distribution channels in Kashmir

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Drug Controller urges ADCs to identify formalities from distribution channels in Kashmir 5

Srinagar: After the government of India ordered a probe into four cough syrups following an alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), deputy drug controller Kashmir has asked all Assistant Drug Controllers (ADCs) for immediate action after identifying the formulations from the distribution channels.

According to a communique, deputy drug controller Kashmir stated that all Assistant Drugs Controllers are requested for immediate necessary action after identifying the formulations from the distribution channels.

The communique stated that any action taken or seizures made may be shared with this office for onward appraisal of higher-ups while stressing that the matter may be treated as most urgent.

Notably, the WHO had issued an alert over four cough and cold syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India, warning they could be linked to the deaths of 66 children in the Gambia—(KNO)

Active Covid cases in country dip to 32,282

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Active Covid cases in country dip to 32,282 6

New Delhi: India recorded 2,529 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,04,463, while the active cases dipped to 32,282, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

The death toll climbed to 5,28,745 with 12 fatalities which includes eight deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 0.07 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.74 per cent, the ministry said.

A decline of 1,036 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.07 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 1.38 per cent, according to the ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,40,43,436, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

According to the ministry, 218.84 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

The four fatalities reported in the last 24 hours include one each from Haryana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

After two years of Covid lull, thousands flock ancient hill temple to celebrate Ashtami in J-K

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After two years of Covid lull, thousands flock ancient hill temple to celebrate Ashtami in J-K 8

Bhaderwah: After two years of lull due to Covid, thousands of devotees thronged the ancient Asht-bhuja’ temple on a hilltop in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district here on Monday to celebrate ‘Ashtami’, the eighth day of Navratri, officials said.

Ashtami, a prelude to Dussehra, is an important religious symbol of the Nagas here. To mark the festivities, about 20,000 people, largely the Nagas, gathered at the 8,000-feet-high temple which is also known as the temple of Goddess Sheetla at Rehoshra Dhar, they said.

Rehoshra Dhar is devoid of people in a radius of about eight-kilometre due to ice, and its lower reaches host the ancient Naga cult that comes alive during Navratri, especially on Ashtami.

Located on a mountain pass, 43 km away from Bhadarwah town, the temple is believed to have its origins in Mughal emperor Babar’s era.

Navratri, considered the last festival during the harvest season, marks the beginning of autumn. The season is followed by harsh winters here.

The traditional celebrations started early in the morning with the opening of kewaars (doors) of the historic temple and the Nagas sacrificed dozens of sheep to the deity according to their ancient custom, the officials said.

Chief organiser and sarpanch of Sunarthawa Panchayat Rakesh Charak said, “This is the most ancient festival of this area. Due to the pandemic, the festival remained suspended for two years. Navratri is incomplete without paying obeisance to the goddess on Ashtami here at Rehoshra. We are delighted to be here again.”

Pratibha Rajput, a young devotee, said, “Before four months of dull life (winter) during which we mostly remain indoors, this festival not only rejuvenates us but also gives us a chance to meet our relatives and friends. Besides, all our wishes are fulfilled by Rehoshra Mata.”

‘Charri Mubarak’ (holy mace) from Chinta, Shourara, Nalthi, Chirala, Sunarthawa, Atalgarh, Rainda and Dalain reached the temple at 12 pm, after which devotees began celebrating Ashtami with the traditional Dekhu dance.

Volunteers of Chinta village served langar to devotees while the administration had made adequate security arrangements for their safety, the officials said.