Tag: #publichealth

Heatwave Crisis in J&K: Officials Advise Precautionary Measures

Editor
Beat the Heat: Srinagar Administration Warns of Heat-Related Illnesses

Srinagar District Magistrate Issues Advisory Amid Heatwave Conditions Srinagar, May 21, 2025 : As temperatures continue to rise sharply across Jammu & Kashmir, the District Magistrate Srinagar has issued a public advisory to safeguard residents from the prevailing heatwave conditions. The advisory, released by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), urges people to take precautionary measures to prevent heat-related illnesses and ensure public safety. Key Recommendations for Residents The advisory outlines essential steps to help residents cope with the extreme heat: Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, lemon juice, and buttermilk…

Read More

Kashmir’s Growing Drug Crisis: A Deep Dive Into the Valley’s Hidden Epidemic

Editor
Kashmir's Growing Drug Crisis: A Deep Dive Into the Valley's Hidden Epidemic

The Shadow Pandemic: Understanding Kashmir’s Drug Crisis By Javid Amin | May 12, 2025 Eighty-two kilometers from Srinagar, nestled among the majestic Himalayan foothills, 23-year-old Javaid (name changed) sits in a small rehabilitation center. His sunken eyes and trembling hands tell a story that has become increasingly common across the Kashmir Valley. Three years ago, he was a promising engineering student. Today, he’s fighting a desperate battle against heroin addiction. “It started with charas (cannabis),” he recalls, his voice barely audible. “Then pills, and finally, heroin. Before I knew it,…

Read More

Public Outrage and Substance Abuse Crisis Drive Liquor Ban Movement in Kashmir

Editor
Public Outrage and Substance Abuse Crisis Drive Liquor Ban Movement in Kashmir

Three Bills and a Public Campaign: Why the Valley is Seeing Growing Calls for a Liquor Ban Srinagar 01 March 2025: Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s Budget Session starting on March 3, calls for a liquor ban have been growing stronger in the Union Territory. This movement is driven by concerns over rising drug addiction and social media posts showing apparently drunk tourists, which have added to the public’s worries. However, the debate is complex, as the region also benefits from rising revenues from excise and tourism. Bills…

Read More

Strengthening Rural Healthcare: Omar Abdullah’s Key Focus at Medicon-25

Editor
Strengthening Rural Healthcare: Omar Abdullah's Key Focus at Medicon-25

Chief minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday, strongly emphasised upon strengthening healthcare sector in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The CM said that to ensure healthcare in rural areas, young doctors have to contribute their bit because they have lesser responsibilities compared to senior doctors. Chief minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday, strongly emphasised upon strengthening healthcare sector in the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing “Medicon-25”, a medical conference held here, Omar said, “We have to try and ensure that our doctors simply don’t practice in cities. I know…

Read More

Shiv Sena Demands Ban on Liquor Sale in J&K

Editor
Shiv Sena Demands Ban on Liquor Sale in J&K

Shiv Sena seeks ban on liquor sale in J&K The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday held a protest demonstration and demanded complete ban on the sale of liquor in the Union Territory. The protest comes in wake of MLAs from three political parties submitting private members’ Bills for enforcing alcohol ban across J&K ahead of the Assembly session scheduled from March 3. Led by party’s UT chief Manish Sahni, demonstrators held placards against liquor sale and demanded immediate ban due to presence of many holy…

Read More

J&K’s Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level: What’s Next?

Editor
J&K's Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level: What's Next?

Low Fertility Rate in Jammu and Kashmir: A Cause for Concern By: Javid Amin Srinagar, February 8, 2025 – The fertility rate in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been steadily declining over the years, raising concerns about the region’s demographic future. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in J&K is 1.4, significantly lower than the national average of 2.0 and well below the replacement level of 2.1. This trend suggests that the region’s population is shrinking rather than maintaining a stable growth rate,…

Read More

300 Villagers Quarantined in Rajouri After Mysterious Deaths

Editor
300 Villagers Quarantined in Rajouri After Mysterious Deaths

46 relatives of three affected families are under special observation and an 11-year-old girl with illness symptoms has been hospitalised. Baffled by the 16 deaths in Badhaal village of Rajouri district, the Jammu and Kashmir government has quarantined nearly 300 villagers at a government nursing college, a government higher secondary school and the Government Medical College (GMC) in the district. Deputy commissioner Abhishek Sharma said, “Over 250 people from Badhaal village have been shifted to government nursing college and government higher secondary school in Rajouri where they are being provided…

Read More

Union Minister Reveals Mystery Toxin Behind 17 Deaths in Rajouri

Editor
Union Minister Reveals Mystery Toxin Behind 17 Deaths in Rajouri

The illness has so far claimed 17 lives and affected 38 people in Jammu and Kashmir since early December 2024. Addressing the ongoing probe into the mysterious illness that has claimed at least 17 lives so far, Union Minister Jitendra Singh revealed some new findings about the conditions. Jitendra Singh confirmed that the initial tests ruled out any infection caused due to viruses or any bacteria as potential causes of the illness. Instead, the findings suggested the presence of a toxin, which is now undergoing further analysis, news agency ANI…

Read More

Mysterious Deaths Lead to Containment Zone in Badhaal Village, J&K

Editor
Mysterious Deaths Lead to Containment Zone in Badhaal Village, J&K

The move comes despite no viral or bacterial aetiology being detected in the 16 deaths linked to a mysterious illness since December 7, 2024 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday declared Badhaal village a containment zone, despite no viral or bacterial aetiology (discovery of the causative agent of a disease) being detected in the 16 deaths linked to a mysterious illness since December 7, 2024. The government has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the village, located around 55 kms from Rajouri district headquarters.…

Read More

J&K Government and Chief Secretary’s Directives on Waste Management Welcomed by EPG

Editor
J&K Government and Chief Secretary's Directives on Waste Management Welcomed by EPG

EPG Applauds J&K Government and Chief Secretary’s Directives on Solid Waste Management Environmental Policy Group Welcomes Major Steps Towards Comprehensive Waste Management in Jammu & Kashmir –The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has warmly welcomed the Jammu & Kashmir Government’s decision to remediate the Achan Dumping Site and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo’s recent directive that mandates a deadline for municipalities in J&K to prepare comprehensive Waste Management Action Plans. This strategic decision, made during a review meeting with the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), signals a significant leap forward in…

Read More