Provides full backing for H&ME Department to Meet Threats
Friday, July 5: Srinagar: On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed that since the Covid epidemic hit the UT, there has been an increase in instances of mental illness and drug addiction. However, he pledged his full support to the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) division and the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in their efforts to resolve the problems.
LG spoke at the Health Conclave held at the SKICC on the banks of Srinagar and said that health care has seen significant transformations at the primary and district levels over the last three to four years. As a result, “patient care has improved and massive health care related infrastructure has been set up across the UT,” he stated. “Time-saving new technological tools have been made available to doctors, allowing them to give their patients the best care possible.”
According to the IMHANS research, the prevalence of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among young people all increased during the Covid-19 epidemic. “The UT administration extends its full support to the H&ME, IMHANS, and doctors to pull out the youth from anxiety and the vicious cycle of drug abuse,” he stated.
He advocated for the H&ME division to initiate large-scale awareness efforts at the Pachayat level to combat anxiety and drug abuse. He said that the state of Jammu and Kashmir’s Health Sector will benefit greatly from the implementation of Tele -Mental Assistance and Networking Across States (MANAS) in the battle against mental illness.
Today, an MOU was inked between IMHANS and Tata Institute. “We have Tele MANAS, and this will definitely help in a big way to counsel young people suffering from mental disorders like depression and anxiety,” the LG stated.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has begun the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) programme in October 2022. Its primary focus is on delivering 24/7, no-cost telemental health services to persons in rural and underserved parts of the nation. There is a free hotline you may call whenever you need advice.
The LG said that residents have an unrealistic expectation that they would have access to all amenities. Kashmir and Jammu now have two brand new Cancer Institutes where specialised care for the deadly illness is being offered. “Cancer prevention counselling will be available as well,” he said. According to the LG, many hospitals have the necessary machinery but not enough trained personnel to run them. He emphasised the need of fixing this problem.
There are now eight schools of nursing, two cancer centres, two bone and joint hospitals, and seven medical schools in J&K, he added. After extensive consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders, the LG pushed for “structural changes” in the Health and H&ME sector. The progression from Assistant Professor to Professor and Principal is not always warranted. Let this matter be discussed,” he said.
The government of J&K has begun grading its hospitals and departments, as stated before by LG’s Advisor RR Bhatnagar. “Health care facilities will be much better in the coming years,” he said. Health care in J&K, according to Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta’s address, is destined for greatness. Digitalizing a patient’s medical history beginning at birth, he argued, would be good for everyone involved. Attendees included people from Tata Memorial Institute, the World Health Organisation, and the Health and Medical Education team in Jammu and Kashmir.
