Worried about growing COVID cases back home, British Kashmiri doctors release video appeal to save lives

SRINAGAR: Seemingly pained by growing COVID cases back home, top British Kashmiri doctors have issued a public appeal urging people not to venture out unnecessary and take all precautions to keep the infection at bay.

Top Kashmiri doctors under the aegis of British Kashmiri Medical Association (BKMC) have released a 6.55-minute video in Kashmiri language urging people not to take the pandemic lightly and listen to medical advice to save lives.

Doctors explained how the United Kingdom struggled to control the spread of the virus despite excellent healthcare infrastructure.

Leading the charge is Dr. Farooq A Wandroo, Consultant Hematology, and BKMA president.  “We want to inform the Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we fought the pandemic hard way. There was a huge human loss in Britain and neighboring countries. Keeping in view the pandemic, we are worried about you. We are concerned about the spread of infection in Kashmir. Therefore, people and healthcare experts must fight together against the deadly pandemic,” he said.

BKMA is an association of healthcare professionals living in the UK. With no religious or political affiliations, it aims to build a network of UK Kashmiri healthcare professionals to promote and share good clinical practice in the UK and abroad with a particular focus on Kashmir.  It also aims to support initiatives  to improve standards of health care and promote links with healthcare professionals and institutions in Kashmir.

“More than 45000 people have died due to COVID 19 in the UK. No vaccine or medicine are available to control this pandemic. Nations prevented the disease from spreading by imposing lockdown and maintaining social distancing. Our appeal to Kashmiri brothers and sisters is to minimize the social contacts and take precautions. This is a critical phase of the pandemic. It is in the community and it can spread,” said Dr.  Shariq Lanker, GP Clinical Lead.

Official figures reveal that there are 10827 positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir. Of whom 8,270 are in Kashmir and 2,243 are in Jammu. The total number of fatalities has risen to 187 — 17 in Jammu division and 170 in Kashmir division. Out of 10827 positive cases, 4545 are active, while 6095 have recovered

“Please wear facemasks. It minimizes contracting infections. Avoid gatherings and offer namaz at home. Avoid participating in funeral prayers. If it is necessary, then maintain a six feet distance and wear masks,” said Dr. Shaheen Shora, Consultant and Medical Lead.

Doctors have urged people to take care of the elderly and avoid physical contact with them since they are prone to infections. 

“Please take care of the elderly and patients having underlying diabetes, blood pressure, chest problems, or others. Please contact the elderly, who are not staying with you, over the phone. Try to avoid going and meeting them physically,” said Dr. Sameena Muzaffer, Consultant Urogynecologist.

Of the 459703 samples tested, 448876 have come back negative in Jammu and Kashmir. Till Monday, 315386 travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance. They include 38643 persons under home quarantine, 25 in hospital quarantine, 4,545 in hospital isolation, and 45093 under home surveillance. Besides, 226893 persons have completed their surveillance period.

 “Please do not discriminate or stigmatize people who have been infected with the virus. It can happen to anyone. I urge people to see around and help people in need. Please do not visit the hospital because you may get infected,” said Dr. Afifa  Qazi, Medical Director, and Consultant.

Dr. Syed Imtiyaz Geelani, Consultant Emergency Medicine, said people having symptoms should isolate themselves to prevent the infection from spreading. “Listen to the advice of doctors, nurses and other paramedics. They are trying hard to keep the infection at bay. We should respect each other,” he said.