Srinagar: Former minister and senior leader of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Imran Ansari has expressed concern over the current deteriorating health care scenario in Jammu and Kashmir due to the emergence of the second wave of COVID-19, cautioning that the prevalent situation merits extreme concern and critical handling.
In a statement issued here, Ansari urged the LG administration to take requisite and pre-emptive measures in view of the dreadful resurgence of COVID-19 so that Jammu and Kashmir is fully equipped to deal with the pandemic and also implored the people to understand the gravity of the crises and take extraordinary measures to stop the spread of the virus.
The PC leader said that the COVID-19 has been unraveling its dreadful and disastrous face for quite some time and in the meantime, measures taken to upgrade the existing health care infrastructure are dismal and insufficient.
“Reports about oxygen paucity and shortage of vaccines in various health institutions of Jammu and Kashmir are worrisome and if allowed to go unaddressed could wreak havoc upon precious human lives,” he added.
He criticized the state authorities for acting as mute spectators when the second wave of Coronavirus was yet to hit Jammu and Kashmir and there was ample time available to plug the loopholes and upgrade the existing infrastructure in the health sector on war-footing basis. The former minister while appealing the administration to take requisite measures on war footing basis to address the present health crises has also urged them to also focus on rural regions of J&K where the situation is more trying than the urban areas.
Ansari also implored the people to take extraordinary measures in this time of crises.
“These are the extraordinary times and require extraordinary measures by the resilient people of J&K. We must understand the gravity of the crises and it is in our interest to do so. I strongly urge people to avoid congregational prayers in huge numbers in jam-packed spaces and follow SOPs at offices and marketplaces especially during the sacred month of Ramadan,” he said
Meanwhile, Ansari has also expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of noted academician, Dr. Margoob Banihali. Highlighting the contributions of the deceased in the world of literature, Ansari said that Dr Margoob’s tenure as head of the department of Kashmiri Language at University of Kashmir was a golden period in the department’s massive upgrade and enrichment of its intellectual space.
He has prayed for his Magfirat and highest place in Jannah besides patience to Dr. Margoob’s family and friends to bear the loss.
