Conduct backlog surgeries

In wake of the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the frequent lockdown as well as reduction of the health care facilities to the people at government hospitals, the reports have come to the fore that nearly 8000 surgeries were postponed during the three waves of the deadly pandemic while over 2100 have been conducted during the past one-week when a medical camp was organized by the Health department in unison with the Rotary international. The medical camp of such level that came up for the first time in Kashmir has brought relief among over 2100 patients, who were waiting for the surgeries to be conducted from the past couple of years. The government while divulging the details have recently admitted that nearly 8000 surgeries were postponed and among them over 2100 have been conducted. However, as the Covid situation has improved to a large extent across Jammu and Kashmir, there is a need to identify all such patients who are supposed to undergo the surgeries for different ailments and necessary procedure must be done at this juncture to ensure that further delay is prevented. The priority must be given to the most severe patients. Moreover, as the camp is supposed to be held in southern districts of Kashmir, the government must carry out prior arrangements in this regard and accommodate such patients. Preventing further delay to the surgeries could help in addressing the health issues of these patients and would also help in saving the precious lives. There is a need to take appropriate measures well on time so that the people, especially the patients and their families could heave a sigh of relief.