SRINAGAR: In a move to reinforce its commitment to social welfare, J&K Bank has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at supporting individuals with hearing and speech impairments across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The initiative, funded under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, is being implemented in collaboration with the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), a non-profit organisation dedicated to healthcare and rehabilitation.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by J&K Bank’s General Manager (S&IT/CSR) Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat at the VMS Complex in Bemina, Srinagar. The event was attended by VMS Chairman and Patron Dr Mir Mohammad Maqbool, J&K Bank Deputy General Manager Manju Gupta, Zonal Head (Srinagar) Raja Zaffar Khan, Director VMS Dr Bashir Lone, and senior officials from both organisations.
As part of the initiative, Bhat also handed over the keys of a mobility van to Dr Maqbool. The procurement of the van, supported by the bank, aims to enhance outreach efforts and expand the impact of the campaign.
Speaking at the event, Bhat emphasised J&K Bank’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society by supporting individuals in need. “At J&K Bank, we believe in nurturing an equitable and inclusive society by providing individuals with the means to improve their quality of life. Through this initiative, we are not only facilitating healthcare access for people with hearing and speech impairments but also empowering them socially and economically,” he said.
Dr Maqbool expressed gratitude for the bank’s support, describing the initiative as a crucial step towards improving the lives of those with hearing and speech disabilities. “Through this collaborative campaign, we aim to make a meaningful difference by ensuring that individuals receive the necessary medical care and assistive devices,” he said.
Under the initiative, 15 speech and audiology medical camps will be organised across the region, directly benefiting over 1,500 individuals through the provision of free hearing aids. Thousands more will undergo medical assessments, and hundreds will receive speech therapy to enhance their communication abilities.
Beyond providing essential medical support, the initiative seeks to raise awareness about hearing and speech-related challenges while encouraging early interventions to prevent long-term disabilities. By enabling individuals to improve their social, educational and economic participation, the campaign aligns with broader national development goals.
