SRINAGAR: Former Minister and Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed grave concern on Friday about the healthcare sector’s infrastructural deficiencies, especially the lack of oxygen in hospitals, amid an increase in Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir..
In a statement issued to Kashmir news service (KNS), The second wave of Covid-19, according to Bukhari, has wreaked havoc in cities across the country that were supposed to have sufficient medical facilities for their residents. However, the situation has turned extremely grim, he lamented.
“If an outbreak of such a magnitude takes place in J&K, I fear that the fatalities will be much higher because our medical facilities are meagre in comparison with Delhi or other states in the country,” he remarked.
Bukhari stated that urgent pre-emptive steps are needed to deal with the situation in advance, and that the administration should send medical teams to various hospitals to assess the situation.
“The administrative preparations to face any eventuality need to be made as soon as possible. Today’s complacence can have serious repercussions for tomorrow. Medical facilities particularly oxygen cylinders, ventilators, COVID-19 special ambulances and drugs like Remdesivir must be made available in all hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay,” he demanded.
Bukhari also said that the government must ensure that all Covid-19 related SOP’s are followed in letter and spirit so that the chain of the dreadful virus is stemmed from spreading across the UT.
“The administration must see to it that all Covid-19 guidelines are followed strictly besides inoculation drives are carried out speedily. Need of the hour is to go for massive awareness campaigns through print and electronic media so that the people are counseled and apprehensions allayed accordingly,” he said.
Bukhari added that, in addition to all of these precautionary steps, the government must also ensure that patients suffering from other chronic diseases are not harmed, and that special facilities be provided for them. (KNS)
