DHSK orders establishment of geriatric care units in all district hospitals

Seperate geriatric OPDs to function every Thurs with seperate ticket counters, workshop for doctors from Mar 07 at JLNM: Officials

Srinagar, Mar 02 : Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) Wednesday decided to extend exclusive health care facilities to senior citizens in all district hospitals of Kashmir.

DHSK has ordered the establishment of geriatric care units at all district hospitals of Kashmir and seperate geriatric OPD units shall be functioning on every Thursday with seperate ticket counters.

“As desired by Additional Chief Secretary Health & Medical Education Department UT of J&K, Director Health Services Kashmir has decided to extend exclusive health care facilities to senior citizens in all districts of Kashmir division. The decision has been taken in view of the growing old age population as the life expectancy throughout the country as well as in valley has increased,” reads a circular issued by DHSK, a copy of which lies with the news agency–Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“In order to provide better health care facilities to the elderly, it is impressed upon all the Medical Superintendents to ensure the establishment of Geriatric Care units in all District Hospitals of Kashmir division, for which separate Geriatric OPD Unit shall be functioning on every Thursday with a separate ticket counter,” the circular adds.

“Action Taken Report in this regard shall be submitted to this directorate by or before 4th of March 2022.Thursday with seperate ticket counters,” it further reads.

In a seperate communication, Directorate has directed all Chief Medical officers and Medical Superintendents of all district hospitals to nominate three doctors from each district fir training in geriatric care.

An official said that Chief Medical officers and Medical Superintendents of district hospitals have been asked to depute three physicians or medical officers from each district and at least other among three should be from district hospital for five-day workshop on geriatric care at JLNM hospital Rainawari, scheduled to be held from 7th March to 11th March 2022.

He said that concerned officials have been directed to submit nominations to directorate by or
before 3rd of March 2022 positively—(KNO)