Srinagar, July 05: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in his address at the Health Conclave held at KICC, Srinagar, emphasised the pressing need to tackle the surge in mental ailments and drug addiction cases observed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To combat this pressing issue effectively, Lt. Governor Sinha pledged unwavering support to the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department and the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS).
The conclave brought to light the alarming menace of drug addiction prevalent in society, post the COVID-19 outbreak. Lt. Governor Sinha reiterated the importance of providing robust support to H&ME and IMHANS to aid the youth in overcoming addiction.
Emphasizing the significance of preventive measures, he urged for heightened awareness campaigns, educating people about the adverse consequences of drug abuse. The IMHANS study from the previous year highlighted an upswing in common mental disorders, severe mental disorders, and drug abuse among urban youth.
At the event, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department signed pivotal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).
Lt. Governor Sinha unveiled India’s pioneering Tele-MANAS Chat-bot for J&K UT, facilitating seamless access to health counselors, clinical psychologists, and consultants round-the-clock, thereby bolstering mental health assistance availability.
Praising the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration during the pandemic, Lt. Governor Sinha commended the implementation of an efficient healthcare system. He acknowledged the relentless support of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in implementing various beneficial schemes, including the National Mental Health Program, which is currently benefiting those in need.
Lt. Governor Sinha urged the Health Department to extend awareness campaigns to grassroots levels through committees in Panchayats. He proposed utilizing diverse mediums, such as radio, television networks, nukkad natak (street plays), wall paintings, etc., to disseminate information about Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) effectively.
Drawing attention to the UT’s notable milestones in the healthcare sector, Lt. Governor Sinha praised the transformative impact of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, bridging the gap between the economically disadvantaged and privileged sections, guaranteeing comprehensive health insurance coverage of INR 5 lakh per individual.
Lt. Governor Sinha highlighted the strides made in healthcare during the past years, including efficient management of COVID-19, successful vaccination campaigns, and overall improvement in health parameters. Proposing structural reforms in the Health and H&ME department, Lt. Governor Sinha emphasized the necessity of comprehensive consultations with public and stakeholders to enhance the health sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Lt Governor Sinha also addressed the lack of trained manpower to operate state-of-the-art machines in hospitals, urging prompt completion of two new Cancer Institutes in Kashmir and Jammu. These institutes will cater to specialized treatment for fatal diseases and offer counseling services for cancer prevention.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor inaugurated 44 healthcare facilities worth Rs. 56.18 Cr to strengthen the medical infrastructure.
He also rolled out and launched several new initiatives to strengthen health system resilience including T3- Test, Treat and Talk Anemia Camps, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Programme, and Scan and Share service for OPD registration. On the occasion, the Lt Governor also distributed the Volunteer Engagement certificates to ASHAs.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary Health and Medical Education; Dr Roderico. H.Ofrin, WHO representative to India; Dr Pratima Murthy, Director NIMHANS; Dr RA Badwe, Director Tata Memorial Centre; Dr Ashish Gulia, Director Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre; Prof. Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, Director SKIMS; Prof. Masood Tanvir, Principal GMC Srinagar; HoDs, medical experts and members from medical fraternity were present.
