Srinagar, Sep 3 (KNS): Amid continuing heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, Secretary Health Abid Rasheed on Wednesday said that the Union Territory’s healthcare system was “fully functional, operative and on the ground,” adding that there was “absolutely no need to panic.”

“For the last almost eight days, this has been the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammu, the situation was different, but today again it is raining heavily… all our health institutions from primary to tertiary care are fully functional, operative, and all doctors, paramedics and healthcare staff are on the ground,” Rasheed said.

He also said that special measures had been rolled out in flood-affected parts of Jammu. “Today we have started this campaign that health camps, particularly in Jammu where there are flood-affected areas, have been organized. Special health camps are providing medicines and treatment to people at their doorsteps,” he said.

In South Kashmir, which has received intense rainfall in the past 24 hours, hospitals are on high alert. “We are going to all the hospitals and checking that, God forbid, if there are any gaps due to which there will be a problem tomorrow, they are being plugged. The whole administration is involved in this… our effort is that all our structures, systems, machinery, equipment and most importantly, healthcare facilities for patients should be accessible and functioning in their normal routine,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Acknowledging the role of frontline health workers, Rasheed said that whether it is snowfall, rainfall, or any natural disaster, doctors, paramedics, nurses, ambulance drivers, all are risking their lives to meet the healthcare needs of people. "In remote areas too, they are doing their work, discharging their duties. I would like to thank all of them.”

Rasheed further said that the administration was maintaining constant preparedness and alertness. “We are all in a status of preparedness and alertness. But there is absolutely no need to panic, no need to worry. We are all on top of it, and we will make sure that there are no natural disasters or incidents where you have to face distress,” he said.

According to him, the health department is reviewing preparedness every two hours. “Especially where there has been flooding or very heavy rainfall, all precautions are being taken. And it is very important for people to pay special attention to precautions, particularly with regard to waterborne diseases. For this, we need the support of social media, print media and electronic media to spread the message,” Rasheed said.

“We are all united, and with your help, we are reviewing the healthcare preparedness every two hours… Inshallah, let’s hope for the best," he added.(KNS)