Health News

Bandipora, Sep 27: More than 140 people were screened at a free eye screening camp organised at Hope School of Merit, Ashtangoo, Bandipora, with 12 patients referred for further treatment. The camp, as per a statement, focused on early detection of eye-related conditions and creating awareness about timely treatment and regular eye check-ups. Speaking to the media, Adv Saika Rashid, Vice President, Chinar Uphar Foundation (CUF), Sajad Bhat, District Head, CUF, social activists Rajesh Koul and Lokesh Banzai, and Junaid Younis, Director, Hope School of Merit, highlighted the importance of accessible eye-care services at the community level. The organisers called for continued efforts to take preventive healthcare and eye-screening facilities closer to people, particularly in areas where access to specialised healthcare remains limited.

Kupwara, Sep 27: The residents of Langate and adjoining areas have raised concern over non-availability of specialist doctors at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Langate forcing patients to seek treatment at other health facilities. The residents said, following upgradation of SDH Langate two decades ago, they were anticipating of better healthcare facilities but nothing like that happened leaving them distressed. "The hospital is currently without a gynaecologist and physician causing inconvenience to pregnant women and other patients requiring specialised consultation," they added. "People from more than one hundred villages depend on SDH Langate who are forced to travel to other government and private health facilities for specialist care. Pregnant women face the biggest difficulty as there is no gynecologist available at the hospital. They have to travel elsewhere even for consultations," President Traders Federation Langate Lateef Ahmad told Greater Kashmir. The residents said that the lone ophthalmologist is set to retire at the end of this month following which eye care will also be affected if no replacement is made. "If no replacement is posted in time, eye patients will also face difficulties. The department should make arrangements before the doctor retires," said Mohammad Ishaq another local of the area. Locals have urged the Health Department to post a gynecologist, physician and other required specialists at SDH Langate and ensure that ophthalmology services continue without interruption. Meanwhile an official at SDH Langate acknowledged the hardships being faced by the patients in absence of a gynaecologist and physician. "We have written to the higher authorities with regard to posting of gynaecologist and physician at SDH Langate," he added.

Seer-Hamdan (Anantnag), Sep 27: Around 130 people were screened at a mega eye camp organised by the Kashmir Eye hospitals in collaboration with Ahmad and Haris Charitable Trust at Seer Hamdan in Anantnag district on Sunday. Eight patients requiring surgery were referred to Kashmir Eye Hospitals for further treatment, which will be provided free of cost, organisers said. DrAqeel Ahmad Dar, Manager Operations, Kashmir Eye Hospitals, said the camp was aimed at identifying eye-related problems and helping underprivileged people access treatment. “There are a lot of underprivileged and poor people, and Kashmir Eye Hospitals is ready to provide them free treatment,” Dar said. He said patients identified as requiring procedures would receive the necessary treatment free of cost at Kashmir Eye Hospitals. The Ahmad and Haris Charitable trust is run by former J&K Bank and Chenab Valley Development Corporation chairman MY Khan, who said its work covers healthcare, girl education, employment and sports. Khan said the trust also conducts health camps in remote areas, offering free endoscopy, ultrasound and medicines to needy patients. “There is no other mobile endoscopy facility available in the state,” he said. He said the trust had recently been declared a mini-ITI, enabling students to obtain recognised certificates after completing their training. “Our main focus is girl education and employment. We provide tailoring training to girls and have established a computer training centre for local boys and girls. Many of them have established their own boutiques, for which we provide them initial support,” Khan said. The trust also supports cricket in Seer by arranging coaching and other facilities for young players. “Our trust is doing its best to promote sports activities in Seer and help nurture talent,” Khan said. Residents appreciated the initiative and the trust’s wider work. An elderly resident, Abdul Rehman of Seer said the trust had contributed to the community through healthcare, self-employment opportunities, girl education and sports. “The trust has been at the forefront of public service, be it providing avenues for self-employment, promoting girl education or supporting sports. Today, the trust organised a medical camp and residents benefited from it,” he said. Khan said his connection with Seer-Hamdan had inspired him to establish the trust. “Seer is my birthplace and I want to do whatever I can for the people of this area. It is this urge that inspired me to set up this charitable trust,” he said. He said the trust was dedicated to his late father and housed in their ancestral home in Seer.

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