SRINAGAR: The Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, in collaboration with Department of Geriatric Medicine, JLNM Hospital Rainawari organised a two-day orientation workshop under National Program for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE).
The orientation program was attended by Epidemiologists, Medical Officers and other paramedical staff working in different PHCs of district Srinagar.
Speaking about the orientation program, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mustaq Ahmed Rather emphasised, “Health department is committed to provide equal health facilities to all citizens including elderly population. Post covid, elderly people need more care and consideration. This program will give insight to our doctors and paramedics about health challenges faced by elderly people”.
Stressing upon the importance of care of elderly people, Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, Dr Jameel Ahmed Mir said, “Health needs of elderly patients differ from those of adults. So, it became imperative for us to provide specific and quality health care to senior citizens. This orientation course aims to sensitise our medics and paramedics at PHC and CHC level about treating of elderly patients”.
In her welcome address, Dr Bilquees Shah, Coordinator NBEMS, JLNM Hospital said, “Elderly people have equal right to health and our mission is to train our doctors and allied staff about taking care of elderly population”.
Secretary Academics, DHSK, Dr Akhtar Ganai said, “As the life expectancy is increasing, elderly care becomes more important. The primary care doctors are the first to see elderly patients and they need to understand the nitty-gritty of treating elderly people”.
While speaking on the occasion, Dr Nasir Shamas, Faculty NBEMS and Consultant Medicine said,”Besides medication elder care needs humanitarian and empathetic approach. This is the time to realise the importance of elderly people in our society.”
While giving his presentation, Geriatric Consultant and I/C department of Geriatric Medicine, JLNM Hospital said, “Since there is a decline in physiological functioning of various organ systems in elderly, that is why pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in them differs. We need to be very careful about polypharmacy, drug interactions and drug dosage in them”.
The participants expressed satisfaction over the conduct of training and requested health department to conduct more such academic programs on Geriatric Medicine
