National Conference President and Member Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday told Union Minister for Health Dr Harsh Vardhan that Jammu region’s health infrastructure is ‘almost defunct’ with hospitals running short of oxygen and ventilators amid alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a tele-conversation with the Union Health Minister, Dr Farooq referred to the panic-like situation among people, who feel vulnerable in the absence of a credible health support system.
According to a statement, he dwelt upon elaborately on inadequate allocation of bed strength for the pandemic cases and failure in setting up of make-shift hospitals to meet the most challenging situation.
“This could hugely impact the fight against coronavirus, resulting in insecurity among the people, who don’t know how the situation will shape in future on this front,” he added.
The Union Health Minister assured Dr Farooq that all necessary measures would be taken to strengthen the infrastructural facilities in the Jammu hospitals. He also apprised the MP from Srinagar about steps taken to meet the situation. Dr Farooq hoped that the medical support system would be upgraded on war-footing in Jammu and Kashmir in general and in the areas which lack facilities in particular on war footing.
“This is not the time to review and assess the situation but supplies need to be replenished and an emergency plan formulated to contain the spread of the virus,” he added.