Srinagar, April 22 (KNS): Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Tuesday inaugurated Health Mela at Al Hamzah Park Makhddom Sahab in Khayar medical block which was attended by officers and officials of the health department.

The Health Melas are being held with regard to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which has adopted a strategy of organizing Health Melas to provide health education and early diagnosis besides providing health care services, free of cost.

Addressing a gathering, Dr MA Rather said that it is important to organize such health programs. “Melas to not only connect to the general public but to make them aware about the beneficial schemes of the health department,” he said.

The director said awareness is very essential for people and by these camps people get to know about the facilities and also about hidden diseases which they are not aware of. He said screening helps in longer way in the early identification of different diseases.

ADC Srinagar, Chief Medical Officer Srinagar, Jameel Ahmad Mir, Dy. Chief Medical Officer Srinagar, District Health Officer Srinagar, District Tuberculosis Officer, District Immunization Officer Srinagar, Nodal Officer H&W Centres, Nodal Officer RCH along with other concerned dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The mega health mela was conducted by Medical Superintendent, Government Gousia Hospital Khanyar Srinagar under aegis of District Administration, Srinagar, Director Health Services, Kashmir and CMO Srinagar.

During the helath mela, a total of 30 makeshift OPD rooms were installed for free providing various free services to patients. All the patients were provided free consultations and medicines. Almost, people from all areas of Srinagar availed the services besides patients from other districts got free services.

Neitzens from Srinagar have hailed the role of the Medical Superintendent, Government Gousia Hospital, for arranging this Block Health Mela and providing quality services in  the areas of  medical surgery, Gynecology, orthopedics, E NT, Ophatholmolgy, online Golden card services , Ayush services, immunization, family planning, eSanjeevani, Drug De-addiction, ECG, Laboratory Services, etc.

They have requested GOI to arrange such Block Health Mela for health awareness and benefit of Public in District Srinagar.

Heavy influx of patients was witnessed at the health mela. Various civil society members and other dignitaries have expressed pleasure for health department of serving free and giving quality services at Health Mela at Makhdoom Sahab. Target was to offer free consultation to 10,000 patients but target exceeded this.

All diagnostic tests and medicines were offered free of cost in the Mela and awareness was given to public about NCD, RBSK, Yoga, Drug Deaddiction, RTI, Cancer Screening and other Health related Schemes. On-the-spot treatment was also given and free medicines were provided to the needy children. Children were also given awareness regarding health and hygiene.

Health Melas and fairs are held to provide information on wellness behaviour, preventive measures for diseases along with healthcare services for early detection and treatment of diseases, have been found to be popular with the masses.

These programs are being organized across hospitals of DHSK to spread the message to the general public informing them about the various health programs of the government.(KNS)