People should register immediately in Jammu and Kashmir Health Care Scheme : Atal Dulloo
Financial Commissioner, health and medical education, Atal Dulloo is a dynamic and vibrant face of Jammu and Kashmir Administration , also overseeing the all important Covid effort of Jammu and Kashmir.
In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir he talks to Farzana Mumtaz and Rameez Makhdoomi.
Why is there less awareness about different schemes of Government on healthcare here in Jammu and Kashmir? The awareness related about health schemes is both there and also not. Less awareness is that people do not know about all schemes especially new schemes of Government of India, so we take help of media and advertise same. But, people have good awareness about established schemes. Take for example Sehat Scheme people are well aware and already nearly half million have registered. People have less awareness on the schemes on Child care and in this regard we take assistance of media, health workers and Anganwari workers.
You recently talked about attracting Global Investment in Jammu and Kashmir Health care? Would it be possible to get same during ongoing global pandemic? It is reality that during ongoing global pandemic we cannot get investment, but you need to remember that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir wanted to conduct global investment summit to all sectors which was unfortunately postponed due to Pandemic. We have four dynamic proposals going on especially establishing quality hospitals with prestigious institutes.
Lack of Oxygen Supply in Jammu has been cause of concern during this Covid pandemic. Your take ? Jammu had oxygen problem especially in Jammu Medical College for two to three days. We then immediately streamlined the oxygen supply and gave approval of establishing Liquid oxygen Supply there which would be completed till 31 October . From 25 September since control room has been set this problem has ended.
Harsh Winter is approaching in Kashmir, what would you suggest people since pandemic of Coronavirus is going? People should adopt appropriate Covid behavior. Firstly they should wear masks, secondly maintain Social Distance and thirdly wash hands often. Are our hospitals ready to face any eventuality during winters in Kashmir? Even during peak of Coronavirus cases, the hospitals in Kashmir managed well and are fully prepared if challenging situation strikes during winters.
The disposal of Covid of dead body has been big issue in both Jammu and Kashmir. Your take? There is well laid out protocol for the disposal of dead body. It is wrapped in double bags. According to cremation or burial we have a laid down protocols , which is being followed.
Can you give us an insight into statistical data on how many people have benefited from the Government Healthcare Schemes? In the Ayushman Bharat Scheme some 12 lac people have prepared card and out of which 90000 have taken benefits after being hospitalised. Pradhanmantri National Dialysis programme thirty thousand have been registered. 102, 108 ambulance scheme thirty thousand people were served during these months of pandemic. Ten thousand took benefit of tele radiology. Besides, free drug schemes JSS, Family planning schemes and other women and child health care schemes are going on with full vigor.
Will all patients be covered by this Universal health care scheme? The honorable LG has recently announced universal healthcare scheme for all residents of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of their income. All the disease have been covered in this scheme. Some 4.90 lac people already stand registered and in upcoming months we would fasten entire registration process. This scheme provides assistance in tune of rs five lac to patient.
Jammu and Kashmir is now Union territory, will we see more medical colleges coming? We had given proposal of establishing five medical colleges last year and got permission for establishing four and soon we will get permission for Doda Medical college . Handwara and Udhampur Medical colleges are in pipelines. During initial days of pandemic Coronavirus the people were angry that senior doctors don’t visit Covid wards in Jammu and Kashmir. Your take? Yes especially during early days of Covid there were such grievances that senior Doctors don’t visit Covid wards. But now the process has been streamlined and senior doctors visit Covid wards often and this has decreased deaths.
People complain that Hospital administration in Jammu and Kashmir is marred by inefficiency and politics?This lobbyism is unfortunately in every department here, but our effort is that hospital administration here improves and makes patient and students interest supreme.
SKIMS, JVC, Chest Disease, SMHS have played well role during this pandemic. What is the further strategy?
In addition to the Covid appropriate behavior we need proper surveillance,
control the containment zones. We also would be focusing on clinical management meaning proper care and treatment for those who fall sick. We also would be focussing on testing and more testing.
Your message? My message is that Covid dealing requires Covid appropriate behavior and we are unaware how it will behave in winters. People should no go out without wearing mask. Secondly I would like to appeal to people to register themselves in Jammu and Kashmir Health care Scheme providing health care insurance to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
