TCN News
Doctors have come out in the open to talk about the health condition of the people in Kashmir where due to heavy restrictions and security the people are unable to access health services.
On August 16th a group of 18 doctors from across India, wrote a letter to the Government of India which was published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) while another group of doctors, health advisors, nutrition experts have released a press statement on 22nd August, expressing their concern about the people of Kashmir who are facing major hurdles to access medical help.
In the letter written to BMJ, Dr Ramani Atkuri, a physician in Madhya Pradesh and 17 others have said that in Kashmir, “there is a blatant denial of the right to health care and the right to life”.
Due to the restrictions imposed on telecom services and internet services, there is no way people can call up the hospital for an ambulance. They are forced to take the patient in their vehicles which are stopped every few meters by the security forces that ask several questions, check the curfew pass and then allow them to go. This delay in reaching the hospital can prove fatal to the patient.
The letter also mentions that the hospitals that used to be crowded earlier are now empty. The doctors also wrote that there are many patients admitted in the hospital, who have received pellet injuries rebutting the claim of the Government about such incidents.
The letter also mentions about the patients who need chemotherapy and dialysis and could not come to the hospital as they live in far off villages. The same goes for women who are pregnant and due for child deliveries.
The doctors have urged the Government of India to “ease restrictions on communication and travel at the earliest, and undertake any other measures that are required to allow patients to access health care without hindrance”.
In the press statement, the group of doctors have described the public health issues that are likely to arise. These include immunisation, Obstetric emergencies; risk of maternal morbidity and mortality; home deliveries, mental stress leading to hypertension; death due to lack of proper diagnosis and treatment.
The statement mentions medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid deficiency, cardiac conditions, renal and liver conditions etc. require patients to have medications on a continuous basis, with fluctuations in dose and frequency leading to life-threatening consequences.
At present due to the heavy presence of the army, seeking medical care seems to be a life-threatening activity by itself.
The rights of citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to healthcare and the right to life is currently being compromised. The professional health bodies of India should affirm basic rights of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, to communication and access to all levels of primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare, both private and government.
Professional bodies should demand that the communication blockade in Jammu and Kashmir has to be urgently and completely removed. Healthcare personnel, drugs, lab reagents, surgical material, equipment etc. required for the proper function of all levels of healthcare should be ensured. People should not be fearful of life just to access healthcare. Fully equipped and staffed mobile medical units should be made available at frequent intervals particularly covering hard to reach areas.
The concerned group also state that mobile medical units with adequately trained staff and drugs have to be made available for hard to reach areas.
The press statement has been signed by doctors from different states in India, from Bangladesh, London and Staffordshire.
TwoCircles.net spoke to some doctors who wished to remain anonymous to know their thoughts on the health care services in Kashmir.
A lady doctor serving in a Government hospital in Hyderabad on the condition of anonymity said, “What is the fault of the people of Kashmir? Why should they suffer like this? This is a clear violation of their fundamental rights when they cannot access health services. Imagine yourself in their place….what will you do? How will you manage when a loved one is critically ill and needs medical aid? How long will this go on? Don’t human lives matter?” She asked voice choked in emotion.
Another UK based doctor from Kashmir said, “The medical association in India should send their teams to Kashmir to assess the ground situation. People are dying because they are unable to reach hospitals. Some people have flown to Delhi to get life-saving medications.”
A Unani doctor in Malakpet, Hyderabad, said, “People in Kashmir have been suffering from long due to various reasons. But now their sufferings have worsened. At least on humanitarian grounds, the Government can ease the restrictions and facilitate their access to health services. I pray that the situation will improve and the sufferings will end”.