Time to augment, strengthen healthcare system in south Kashmir: Masoodi

Srinagar, May 12: National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament from Anatnag Hassnain Masoodi released Rs One Crore under MPLADS to set up an Oxygen production plant with refilling facility at Awantipora.
Masoodi, according to the statement, has been touring south Kashmir for last two weeks and interacting with the DDCs and district level officers with key role in COVID control to have an on spot assessment of the steps taken to combat the deadly epidemic and identify the problem areas.
He on his visit was informed that transportation of Oxygen cylinders from the Oxygen plants to the hospitals is creating huge problems for the hospital administration and apart from increasing pressure on important resources, results in impediments in timely supply of Oxygen and providing emergency services to patients.
The District Hospitals at Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and other far off places are, in present Oxygen production scenario, required to depute ambulances ordinarily to be used for shifting patients to tertiary hospitals and help patients reach the hospital for emergency medical treatment, to Rangreth and Khonmoh in Srinagar and it takes full day for an ambulance to stand in the queue and transport filled Oxygen Cylinders to the hospital. It is stated that under the present system not only are the ambulances deployed unavailable for emergency duty, but the oxygen supply is also frustratingly delayed. Masoodi to address the problem has decided to help set up 1000 LPM Oxygen Plant with cylinder filling facility at PHC Awantipora so that refilling facility is available at a place not only nearer to but also equidistant from the District Hospitals Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama. The matter was discussed in a meeting Masoodi had with DDC Pulwama who assured all cooperation in facilitating setting up of the plant.
He was informed by DDC Pulwama that 142 beds with oxygen support, more than twice the beds ordinarily available, are provided for the Covid patients at District Hospital Pulwama and a 200 bed prefab hospital is being set to further strengthen the healthcare facilities for treatment of Covid patients and expected to start functioning within few weeks. With 1350 LPM Oxygen available, the District Hospital Pulwama is at present adequately equipped to face the challenge though there may be need to supplement the supply in days to come, it is stated.
In his meeting with DDC, CMO and MS District Hospital at Shopian, he was informed that 290 beds with high flow oxygen have been set up at the District Hospital and with the commissioning of 1000 LPM and another such plant in pipeline, the District is not to face any oxygen shortage. The District was said to have achieved 97 p.c vaccination in the above 45 age group. The District was reporting a lesser number of patients, though testing was aggressively done to trace and treat the patients, the statement adds.
Masoodi in addition to Rs 1 crore released for setting up Oxygen plant, has also released an amount of Rs 25 lac for setting up Covid ICU ward at District Hospital Anantnag and an amount of Rs 15 lac each to District Development Commissioners Kulgam and Shopian for purchase of critical care ambulances to support Covid 19 combat measures. Further an amount of Rs 15 lac in addition to the available unspent funds, has been released in favour of DDC Pulwama to support construction of prefabricated 200 Covid hospital at Pulwama with an assurance to extend all support in his laudable endeavour. With release of Rs 1.70 crore , the total amount released till date to strengthen healthcare in south Kashmir adds up to Rs 3.20 crore.
Masoodi expressed satisfaction over the leadership role played by the District Development Commissioners Pulwama and Shopian in resource mobilisation and implementation of Covid control measures on ground. He has voiced concern about delay in providing results of RT – PCR which may cause a setback to battle against Covid and has demanded setting up of a well equipped Covid laboratory at Shopian or Pulwama, to address the problem of delay in getting RT PCR test results. He has also demanded posting of a radiologist at District Hospital Shopian to make a CT scan facility, expected to be established soon at District Hospital Shopian functional.