KULGAM, AUGUST 6: Minister for Health & Medical Education, School and Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Masood Itoo, today inaugurated a mega Multi-Speciality Health Camp at Khuri Batpora (KB Pora), D.H. Pora, in Kulgam district.
The camp was organized through the collaborative efforts of Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children), Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), SKIMS Soura and office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kulgam under the aegis of the SAANS Campaign.
The camp was aimed at improving access to comprehensive healthcare services for the rural population by providing specialized consultations, screening, diagnosis, treatment, referral services and health education under one roof. It catered to both children and adults, with a special emphasis on preventive healthcare.
Addressing the gathering, Sakeena Itoo appreciated the collaborative initiative and stressed the importance of shifting the healthcare focus from treatment to prevention. She highlighted the need to adopt healthier lifestyles to effectively combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and called for greater public awareness regarding disease prevention and early intervention.
On the occasion, the Minister formally launched the M-Health Application for Tracking Children with Pneumonia, a digital platform developed by Bal Raksha Bharat under the SAANS Initiative to strengthen monitoring and ensure timely management of childhood pneumonia.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, SKIMS Soura. Sub-Divisional Magistrate D.H. Pora, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kulgam, Chief Medical Officer, district officers, health functionaries and representatives of Bal Raksha Bharat also accompanied the Minister.
The health camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from children, women and elderly residents. Medical specialists deputed by SKIMS Soura and the Chief Medical Officer, Kulgam, provided expert consultations and treatment in Endocrinology, Pediatrics & Neonatology, General Medicine, General Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Bal Raksha Bharat also played a vital role in community mobilization, beneficiary facilitation, coordination with health authorities and creating awareness on child health, pneumonia prevention, routine immunization, nutrition, breastfeeding, hand hygiene and timely healthcare-seeking behaviour.
Later, the Minister laid the foundation stone for construction of a new building at Primary School Drangbal, to be executed by PWD (R&B) at an allotted cost of Rs.27.44 lakh.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for construction of additional classrooms at Middle School Jaibal, at the allotted cost of Rs.19.80 lakh to strengthen the educational infrastructure and provide a better learning environment for students.
During her visit, the Minister met several public delegations who apprised her of various developmental and public welfare issues concerning their respective areas.
The Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegations and assured them that their genuine concerns would be addressed on priority through the concerned departments.
