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Srinagar: The Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, on Friday, chaired a meeting of Union Territory Level Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) regarding the COVID-19 vaccination program scheduled to begin shortly across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Director Health Services Jammu, Principal Government Medical College Jammu, Drug Controller J&K, HODs Pediatrics, Medicine, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic, Anesthesia, and SPM of GMC Jammu while Director Health Services Kashmir, Principal Government Medical College (GMC) Kashmir, Head Of Departments Pediatrics, Medicine, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic, Anesthesia, and SPM of GMCs Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS), Soura and Jhelum Valley Medical College (JVC) Bemina attended the meeting through video conferencing.

The meeting was also attended by the representatives of J-K Police, National Health Mission, J-K, Health Officers of Jammu Municipal Corporation, and Srinagar Municipal Corporation among other concerned officers.

State Immunization Officer, Dr. Qazi Haroon, gave a detailed presentation about the development and the current stage of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country. He informed the meeting that the vaccine is expected to be introduced shortly for which two doses would be administered and the second dose to be administered after twenty-eight days of the first dose.

He informed that senior doctors from the majority of fields of medicine have been included in the Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) committee constituted for the COVID-19 vaccination program, adding that it was for the first time that the committee will have experts to monitor and study the adverse health events after inoculation. He informed that an AEFI is an untoward medical occurrence following immunization, which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Regarding vaccination of the population and target groups, he said that a phase-wise strategy will be incorporated wherein health care workers have been identified followed by frontline workers of seven lakh population, adding that it would be followed by a high-risk population consisting greater than fifty years of age and less than fifty years of age-associated with comorbid conditions. He said in Phase-I, a total of around 28 lakh (2.8 million) population have been identified for the COVID-19 vaccination across Jammu and Kashmir. He added that detailed instructions on infection prevention and control practices during vaccination and management of minor, severe, serious AEFI would be issued. He also informed the meeting that a detailed strategy has been chalked out and a requisition for deep freezers and other equipment has already been sent to the Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion, FC H&ME, Atal Dulloo asked the concerned heads of GMCs and SKIMS to lay more emphasis on vaccination site and vaccination session parts which include waiting rooms, vaccination rooms, and observation rooms. He directed the concerned heads to focus on the management side properly besides stressing on training sessions of the doctors and staff who would be involved in the vaccination program and added that employing such a mechanism would resolve the majority of issues during vaccination. He directed the concerned Chief Medical Officers to hold frequent meetings at the district level so that grievances, if any, would be resolved with timely intervention.

He asked tertiary care hospitals viz SKIMS, Soura, and eight GMCs of J-K to make a provision for a dedicated ward in their hospitals during vaccination sessions so that if any AEFI surfaces it would be resolved with timely intervention. He also asked them to follow all the AEFI Standard Operating Protocols (SOPS) so that no shortcomings would remain during the process. He asked them to ensure the streamlining of the system in their respective domains with respect to drugs, equipment, and other requirements. He also directed them to have proper documentation under different formats besides verbal autopsy, which has to be very sensitive, and asked them to make the Adverse Drug reaction Monitoring Centers functional at all GMCs and SKIMS. He said that a designated spokesperson would be nominated in J-K, division, and district level who would be only authorised persons to talk to media on the subject.

Srinagar: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Srinagar said that several Coaching Centers in the district were continuing their class work despite reporting some COVID-19 positive cases

“Some COVID-19 cases have been reported from several coaching institutes of the Srinagar, particularly those operational in Parraypora and Rajbagh areas of the Srinagar city, during the sampling drive carried out by district Administration, reads the order.

The DDMA Srinagar Magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in an order said, “The management of these coaching institutes continued their classes even after reporting of positive cases, in brazen violation of COVID-19 SOP’s that too without even bothering to inform district Administration.”

Choudhary ordered closure of class work in such coaching institutes wherein COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.

“In view of the situation and in line with COVID-19 guidelines, it is hereby ordered that coaching institutions where positive cases have been reported shall immediately close their classes till complete sampling is carried out and results are received, besides sanitization of facility,” he said. (PTK)

Questions raised over recruitment process

Srinagar: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura- one of the premier health institutions of Jammu and Kashmir is going through a worst phase in its history as rampant corruption, malpractices indiscipline is the order of the day in the Institute. From procurement of Essentials & Equipment to the Recruitments & Selections, there is complete ‘mess’ in the Institute and despite many people pointing to the maladministration, Government has been slow in taking action and saving the institution from disaster.

According to the letter from a Srinagar based citizen written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the SKIMS administration has failed in saving the lives of dozens of Covid-19 Patients as it could not provide them quality health care and innumerable news items in this regard catching the eye of Govt and public failed to evoke desired response. It is learnt that despite crores spent in the name of Covid, patients have been spending laks on their treatment in SKIMS with most of things unavailable in SKIMS despite a drug counter there and patients forced to purchase these essential items at hefty cost from nearby stores.

The letter alleges that there were huge misappropriations in the funds earmarked for Covid Care and most of the funds were either misused to make procurements with huge kick backs received by Director through his coterie of 4 persons including an ITian promoted as Chief Engineer without approval of the government. Many costly equipments procured without following financial codes is lying unused in the stores of the institute thereby wasting public money just for earning commission.

It alleges that during the Covid Pandemic hundreds of patients, who could have survived, lost their lives because SKIMS authorities were busy filling their pockets from the procurements that were meant for Covid-19 patients.

The letter also alleges that Director SKIMS is misusing his chair as the people who are very close to him and having efficiency in malpractices and corrupt practices are given charges of all the important Departments and in doing so many competent and senior officers are ignored as it is feared that they might not toe line with Director for filling his pockets.

“How a single person who is Junior in the faculty has been given the charges of more than a dozen departments and committees and one wonders how does the person do justice to all these important assignments”, reads the letter.

“Dr G. H. Yatoo, just an additional professor in the department of hospital administration is not only the HOD of the said department but also holds the additional charges of Nodal Officer Covid 19 management, Medical Superintendent of State Cancer Institute, In-charge Transport, In-charge Drug & Pharmacy, In-charge Central Stores, Assistant Coordinator Purchase, Incharge patient sarai, Programme in-charge PGDHHM under IGNOU, Public Information officer (PIO), Nodal Officer Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, Convener of the Recruitment Committee, a most Prestigious & Sensitive Committee and some other departments and committees, reads the letter adding that how is it humanly possible for a single person to do justice with all these assignments.

Ironically, the incumbent Director could not find a senior faculty with more than 70 professors there other than Dr Ghulam Hassan Yatoo.

Raising an eyebrow over the selections in the recently declared BSc Nursing list, the letter alleges that the papers were sold in advance in lieu for hefty amounts as there is no involvement of Controller Examinations’ Registrar of SKIMS University ‘Senior Faculty’ Medical Superintendent and the Senior KAS officer the Additional Director SKIMS though they are members in the designated committee for selections constituted by Govt.

“How is it possible that five candidates who failed to secure even 50% percent marks in the same Examination conducted by BOPEE in the same period, secured 100% marks in the same entrance conducted by SKIMS authorities”, the letter reads.

It alleges that the five among toppers belong to the native District Budgam, the native District of the In-charge Recruitments clearly indicating that there is something fishy about the list. Even another small locality of Chatterhama has got three toppers with 99 to 100 % Marks. In the history of SKIMS the merit of Bsc Courses has hardly ever touched 90% in the past.

The Srinagar citizen in his letter has requested the Jammu Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to look into the issue so that SKIMS, a premier health facility is saved from a disaster and guilty identified for their misdeeds so that the slogan of corruption free governance is honored and upheld. (KNT)

Jammu: National Conference provisional president Devendra Rana Thursday said that Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) even after using top ministers and big faces in recently concluded DDC elections failed to go beyond four districts of Jammu region.

Addressing a news conference this evening in Jammu division, Rana, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that BJP was confined to four districts only in Jammu division and people have reposed their trust in JKNC once again in the maiden District Development Council (DDC), elections.

He said that before the maiden DDC elections NC was right-of and people would say this party doesn’t exist anywhere but the mandate given to National Conference depicts it as the party of people Pan-J&K and Ladakh.

The results show that people have reposed their trust in National Conference (NC) party and it’s just the beginning as it’ll enter like a Tsunami (referring to emerge) across the J&K now, he said.

He said that In the recently concluded DDC elections, NC’s strike rate remained highest with 41 percent followed by BJP at 33 percent and Congress party at 14 percent only and even in the Jammu division NC scored big and remained the second-largest vote securing party.

Rana said that a polarization atmosphere was created in the recently concluded DDC elections and divisive politics was played but NC has outplayed with the support of the general public since it’s only JKNC that can connect all the regions and religions across J&K and Ladakh.

He said that, “Those who claimed to make Cheif Minister from their party even failed to make it beyond four districts and even the big names in their party have lost from native villages in DDC elections.”

Naming the BJP leaders who lost, he said BJP chief Ravinder Raina, Jugal Kishore, Sunil Sharma lost from their home constituencies while Nanda Shakti lost from two constituencies depicts the reflection of the lack of confidence of people over the leadership of BJP in J&K since all of them failed to gain votes from native places.

He said that in the recently concluded elections almost the entire New Delhi government (BJP) campaigned for BJP in Jammu and Kashmir including the Ministers who asked for votes in the name of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“BJP faces in Jammu and Kashmir will fail to win even at Panchayat levels also if they don’t ask for votes on name of PM Modi even the big names failed to win in DDC elections”, he said. “Ministers who campaigned for BJP in Jammu and Kashmir introduced their Candidates as PM Modi’s candidates.”

He also said that the Panchayat Raj Act enforced in Jammu and Kashmir earlier was stronger than any of the parts across India.

The provisional president said that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference earlier demanded autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir under the framework of the Indian constitution only.

To a question about the Roshni Act, the provisional president said that all those involved must be punished and the matter is sub-judice before the court besides CBI is a very credible agency and let them investigate — (KNO)

Ganderbal: A 40-year-old Gulzarine Khan is living in deplorable condition along with his two minor daughters, one son, an unmarried sister and old aged parents at a hilly area of Gutlibagh, Nai Basti in Ganderbal district.

Narrating his ordeal, Khan said that he was earning his livelihood as a daily wage labourer, when he got a nail inserted in his foot during work.

With the span of time the infection increased and to manage the expenses of treatment at various hospitals Khan sold off his cattle and small land holding.

Bed ridden from the past 5 to 6 years, the family lives on the mercy of others, who occasionally help the family out.

Khan said the doctors have suggested for immediate surgery, or other he could lose his leg.

“I don’t have any money to pay to cover my hospital expenses. So, I applied for a golden card,” he said.

Khan alleged that after receiving the health card, he went to the hospital for the operation but was categorically denied by the authorities to treat him on the basis of his health card.

“When I showed the hospital authorities my card, they laughed at me and said show this card to Modi (Prime Minister) he will give you money for your free treatment,” Khan said.

Having no excess to reach out to the administration or to any prominent NGO for help, Khan said he has no idea how to get operated without any money—(KNO)

Takes up matter with Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag Justice (retd) Hassnain Masoodi on Thursday sought an impartial investigation into the Hokarsar killings and impressed on the government to clear the ambiguities leading to the killing of three youth.

Masoodi while demanding an impartial probe into the killings said the stated version of the police was far from convincing and ambiguous. “The police version is not convincing and clear-cut; it is an admitted case of police that none of the three youth in their early twenties were in the militant list; two of the youth are admitted not to have been involved in militant activities and said to be OGWs. In the case of a third boy who is twenty years old, it is said that he ‘might have joined militant ranks’. The statement joined together is far from convincing and lends support to the version of families of the slain trio that they were innocent and not involved in any militant activity,” he said.

He asked the govt to recall the Shopian killing and subsequent findings that those killed were innocent and had come all the way from Rajouri to earn livelihoods and continue their studies. He demanded thorough investigation into the issue and return of bodies of slain youth to their families so that their last rites are observed by their families at their respective places.

Masoodi said the matter warrants time bound inquiry as the versions of the family and the police are contradictory. “The version of the family in wake of the ambiguous version of police seems to be nearer to truth. Therefore it becomes imperative upon the government to come clean on the matter. In previous Shopian killings, the boys were found innocent. I express my deep sympathies and unison with the bereaved families and pray forbearance to them in their hour of grief,” he said.

Masoodi also spoke to Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra home and demanded a probe into the matter. He will take up the matter with LG J&K Shri Manoj Sinha and Advisor Home to LG RR Batnagar. (PTK)

Jammu: Crime Branch Jammu produced charge-sheet against accused- Rakesh Singh and Suresh Singh both Sons/O Kehar Singh R/O Jattana DeyKothey, Dehrian, Hamirpur Sidhar, Tehsil Khour & District Jammu in case FIR No. 04/2020 U/S 420, 465, 468 IPC of Police Station Crime Branch Jammu for their involvement in luring the complainant and duping of hard earned money by impersonating as RTO on the pretext of offering fake incentive schemes on purchase of cars.

The charge-sheet has been produced in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu on 31-12-2020 for judicial determination.

In a statement issued to news agency KINS reads,”A written complaint was lodged by complainant Kulwant Singh son late. S. Sunder Singh R/o H. No. 192 Sector-1, Lane No. 12 GTB Nagar Channi Rama Jammu in crime Branch Jammu alleging therein that his wife received a phone call from an unknown mobile number who claimed to be RTO, Jammu & Former Additional Secretary to Governor J&K, for a request to adjust the services of one of the employees of Distt. Youth Service & Sports, Jammu.

When she confirmed from her colleagues, someone with same name was serving as RTO Jammu and has previously served as Addl. Secretary to Hon’ble Governor J&K in the Governor House as conveyed by this caller.

After few days the said caller again called her for the same request and also offered her the services of RTO Department with regard scheme on purchase of cars besides arranging licences.”

“On this preliminary verification was initiated by Crime Branch Jammu and during the course of enquiry oral and documentary evidences was gathered and the allegations were prima-facie substantiated. Accordingly, instant criminal case was registered in P/S Crime Branch, Jammu under the relevant provisions of law against the above mentioned accused persons for in-depth investigation,” the statement reads.

“During the course of investigation, strenuous efforts were made to collect documentary and oral evidence, which proved the criminal involvement of the accused for duping the complainant of his hard earned money as RTO/ PA to RTO Jammu.

Moreover, the prime accused Rakesh Singh used to transfer the illegal money into the account of his brother- co-accused Suresh Singh. Accused Rakesh Singh is a History sheeter of P/S Khour and Crime Branch Jammu besides 2 more Criminal cases stand registered against him in Crime Branch Jammu and 2 FIRs in Jammu District,” the statement added. (KINS)