Large quantities of medicines, vaccines sent to Jammu-Kashmir: Centre tells High Court at PIL hearing

The Centre has dispatched large quantities of medicines and vaccines to flood-affected Jammu and Kashmir to prevent outbreak of water borne diseases. "Over 5.5 lakh doses of measles vaccine and 30,000 bottles of vitamin A for Srinagar and 50, 000 doses of measles vaccine for Jammu have been sent," Union Ministry of Home Affairs told the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

The High Court is hearing a Public Interest Litigation on the alleged inadequate relief measures in flood-ravaged areas of the state. 

The counsel for the Centre submitted a report which said 10 lakh chlorine tablets have been supplied to Jammu and Kashmir while an additional 11 lakh tablets are being supplied by rail from Bhopal to Delhi and will be airlifted to the state. "25 lakh metric ton bleaching power has reached Jammu. 3000 vials of anti rabies vaccine have been organised by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. One lakh sanitary napkins and 50,000 packets of ORS are being airlifted from Mumbai and Delhi respectively," the report said.

The MHA report said a group of 20 specialist doctors from Medical Association have been deployed in Srinagar. "Two Psycho-social teams for psycho-social need assessment have been deployed on September 12 from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Bangalore," the report reveals.

The MHA report says that on the request of state government, a deployment plan of 191 specialist doctors and technicians including 28 physicians, 27 gynaecologists, 28 anaesthetists, six radiologist, six surgeons, 28 paediatricians, 34 Operation Theatre Technicians and 34 OT assistants is being organised by MHFW. 

A team of Special Director General Health Services, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and Additional Deputy Director General of MHFW came to Srinagar for assessing the health situation in flood-hit State, it said.

Two central Public Health teams have been posted one each in Jammu and Srinagar since September 8 for rapid health assessment and to prevent and control public health exigencies. 
A 29-member clinical team comprising physicians, paediatricians and gynaecologists has been positioned in the Valley for providing specialised care to affected people in district hospital of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam and Bandipora, the report added. The report said 80 medical teams so far have been deployed by the army for providing medical aid.

"Army base hospital and four field hospitals at Awantipura, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield are functional. Medical aid has been provided to 97,058 patients till September 18," it said.

The report said that 1.2 lakh oxygen cylinders sent by army as well as Mobile Oxygen generation plant Nitrous oxide cylinders have also been sent by army.

"Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has organised supply of necessary medicines to the state Government," said the report. The report revealed that 1.5 lakh antibiotic tablets, 65800 bottles antipyretic, 72000 anti acidity injections and one lakh anti-vomiting tablets have been supplied to the flood-hit State.