KULGAM: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo on Thursday inaugurated a multi-speciality health camp at Khuri Batpora (KB Pora) in D.H. Pora area of Kulgam district and launched a mobile application for tracking children with pneumonia under the SAANS campaign.
The health camp was organised jointly by Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children), the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Kulgam.
The camp aimed to improve access to specialised healthcare services in rural areas by providing consultations, screening, diagnosis, treatment, referral services and health education under one roof. It catered to both children and adults, with a focus on preventive healthcare.
Addressing the gathering, Itoo stressed the need to shift the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention and urged people to adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. She also highlighted the importance of public awareness on disease prevention and early diagnosis.
On the occasion, the minister launched the M-Health Application for Tracking Children with Pneumonia, developed by Bal Raksha Bharat under the SAANS initiative to strengthen monitoring and ensure timely management of childhood pneumonia cases.
Medical specialists from SKIMS Soura and the Chief Medical Officer’s office provided consultations in endocrinology, paediatrics and neonatology, general medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Bal Raksha Bharat also conducted awareness programmes on child health, pneumonia prevention, routine immunisation, nutrition, breastfeeding, hand hygiene and timely healthcare-seeking behaviour.
Senior officials from the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, SKIMS Soura, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, D.H. Pora, Assistant Commissioner Development, Kulgam, Chief Medical Officer, district officers and representatives of Bal Raksha Bharat attended the programme.
Later, the minister laid the foundation stone for a new building at Primary School Drangbal, to be constructed by the Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings) at a cost of ₹27.44 lakh.
She also laid the foundation stone for additional classrooms at Middle School Jaibal at an estimated cost of ₹19.80 lakh to strengthen educational infrastructure in the area.
During her visit, Itoo met several public delegations who raised developmental and public welfare issues concerning their areas. The minister assured them that their genuine grievances would be examined and addressed on priority through the concerned departments.
