Opinion | Modi’s Government healthcare missions in Kashmir

Kashmir wounds run deep not only from the years of conflict or battles that they face, both seen or unseen. Beneath this stunning valley and snow-capped mountains of Kashmir lie countless stories of pain and struggles faced by its people. Among these battles, one of the hardest fights which people fought has been against disease and lack of healthcare system that often steals the healthy lives of the only breadmaker of the family, or the father’s wish of a beautiful future seen for his children, or chilling and wailing reality of inadequate health care for a pregnant woman. For years this harsh, limited reality of the healthcare system has often failed the wailing of an old mother and snatched the lives of uncountable souls of smiling children in silence.

But now, when hope was at its edge, another wave of hopeful voice rose and stood as a beacon, restoring the faded hope and rewriting the story as the government’s health mission. Now the government says that it’s not just about hospitals or medicine but it’s about people—the living souls of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is often caught in the battles and shadow of conflict—these healthcare missions by the government shine as a beacon of peace and progress and send a powerful message that no matter the barrier and distance, the people of Kashmir are seen, valued and cared for.

Through landmark initiative under PM Modi’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme, that is Pradhan Mantri Jan Yojana, and brought relief to thousands of Kashmir homes, which opened the doors of top hospitals, receiving treatment up to 5 lakh per annum, eradicating the economical and medical battle fought by the family due to lack of money. With the arrival of PMJAY, whether it is heart surgery, cancer treatment, or emergency care, the families are now sleeping with peace of mind and hope of seeing their loved ones the next morning and no longer delaying the treatment or selling the land for medicine.

After this, the government did not stay still but went further and brought a new campaign—Gaon Gaon Ayushman—which truly lies in its name. It really went from village to village, door to door and ensured that no village was forgotten and no one was left behind. This campaign felt like the first warm hand of care reaching out to the hidden tears of people and feelings that their pain has a listener.

With the opening of doors of AIIMS Jammu OPD service, healing thousands of patients’ broken hopes and belief in government. People who once waited months for consultations and had to travel hours just for treatment can now receive expert care close to home. From cardiology to oncology, experts are now accessible and patients are seen with care and respect, narrowing the gaps between Government and the people.

Also in the quiet corners of Jammu and Kashmir, with the launch of Arogya Doctors on Wheel has turned village roads into pathways of health. Whether it is about checking blood pressure, treating fever, offering antenatal care with professionals and equipment—with doctor, nurse and medicines—or arriving timely on doorsteps of the poor, disabled and the elderly, rewriting the whole story of the healthcare system.

National Digital Health Mission—through this mission, for the first time people of Kashmir are carrying their entire medical records in their pockets by giving a Personal Health ID, linking hospitals, doctors and patients through technology. When a doctor can check the past records and reports instantly of the patient coming from the terrain valley of Kashmir and treat the patient with full knowledge without any confusion so as to help even the quietest voices be heard in the healthcare system like never before. This brings hope that healthcare will no longer depend on who you are or where you live.

COVID-19—when fear gripped the peak of the pandemic during COVID-19, government stepped like a shield and doctors, nurses, ANMs, ASHA became frontline heroes for the people of Kashmir—ensuring and setting up isolation centres, providing masks, medicines, COVID-19 vaccines, etc. Telemedicine was started. The Modi government launched Arogya Setu App to treat COVID cases and spread awareness. Vaccines were made free and available to every citizen. Thus, behind every patient was a team, system, courage, and a mission to protect and stand with the people in the darkest and toughest time.

These initiatives are more than policies and missions. This journey is not over. Bringing healthcare to Kashmir was once a dream, now it’s becoming a reality. And today, Kashmir is witnessing the hope that once was dimmed, taking a clear shape. Government is proving through clear directions and mission that Kashmir healing has begun, Kashmir healthcare has been rewritten, and now it’s a story of struggle and survival.

BY HAJRA BANO

HAJRABANO1910@GMAIL.COM