Kashmir communications blackout is putting patients at risk, doctors warn
BMJ 2019; 366 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5204 (Published 19 August 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;366:l5204
All rapid responses
Dear editor,
I would like to thank BMJ for highlighting the lack of healthcare to the people of Kashmir due to the current ongoing lockdown by India`s government.
I would like to emphasize that besides increasing shortage of drugs, ambulances and staff due to communication and transportation blockade, the Indian security forces have been known to use measures like pellet guns, kidnapping, sexual violence and human shields from local population, as has also been reported by the Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) (July 8th 2019). Decades of turmoil have taken a toll on all aspects of health in Kashmir, including mental well being with rise in incidence of depression, anxiety as well as suicides (1-3).
Being born and raised in Kashmir, and having lived there through the unrest of 1990s, I can attest to the impact on all aspects of life of a common Kashmiri, with mental health being a casualty.
I would also like to congratulate the author of this article, Ramani Atkuri, for standing with the truth.
Regards,
Seema A. Bhat, MD
References
1 Naik AR. Impact of conflict on mental health with special reference to Kashmir Valley. Int J Indian Psychol 2016;4:76
2 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the University of Kashmir, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), 2016. Muntazar: Kashmir Mental Health Survey Report; 2015.
3 Bhat RA, Khan SM. Mental health issues in Kashmir valley: An overview. Arch Ment Health 2018;19: 96-6
Competing interests: No competing interests
Dear author and editor
It is heartening for bmj to comment on the human catastrophe that is Kashmir. We need to bring to light these humanitarian issues with lack of access to information and health care created by military might and not by natural disaster.
Being from Kashmir and having trained in Kashmir I have first hand reports from Srinagar, the busy hospitals that would normally be overflowing with patients are deserted, people have very limited access to medications, and not having worked for 2 weeks, most people have to choose between food or medicines. This is a disaster created by the authoritarian nationalist government of India and not due to natural disaster, you don’t have to be a genius to understand that people are dying at home since they can’t reach the hospital, a simple glance at the situation is enough to indicate that.
I urge the authorities in Kashmir to lift the information blockade, communication blockade and travel restrictions before we have the blood of innocents on our hands.
I am sure there will be a backlash from some in the Indian community who call themselves civilized and still condone repression in the name of nationalism.
I commend you to do this public service and respect your views
Dr. Khalid Ashai MBBS, FACC
Interventional cardiology
Chairman div of cardiology
Univ of Maryland,
Capital regional health system
Cheverly, MD USA
Competing interests: No competing interests
Jammu & Kashmir is returning to normalcy
The Government of India (GOI) in a declaration before the Supreme Court, confirmed that the restrictions imposed in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) concerning the abrogation of the Article 370 are temporary and are being relaxed in gradual phase. The GOI representative informed the court (1) that “the healthcare services have been functioning normally in J&K and from 5th August to 15th September 2019, over 1 million patients attended the out-patient department of various hospitals and 67,196 patients were admitted in the indoor departments in the government hospitals of J&K. Over 10,699 major and 53,297 minor operations were carried out during this period”. It was also reported that there is sufficient stock of essential drugs and other medical requirements across the hospitals, and 90% of the medical shops are open and functioning in J&K.
Reference:
1. Valley returning to normalcy: Govt. Hindustan Times, 17th September 2019: https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareImage?Pictureid=04a89472.
Competing interests: No competing interests