Srinagar: Mohammad Afzal, a resident of the Lati Mohalla of Dal Lake Kashmir, recalls the horrific incident he and his family had to witness earlier this year, due to the lack of emergency medical services. Afzal’s brother, Akbar, had been suffering from cancer for years, but in the month of February, his oxygen saturation levels went low, and he needed immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, the lack of emergency services cost him his life. “We rushed to the hospital as early as we could, but the delay proved costly,” the 40-year-old recalled.
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This is the story of many Afzals who reside in the interiors of the Dal Lake and are devoid of emergency healthcare services. The residents have to take a boat ride for more than 45 minutes and then walk for around 15 minutes to reach the nearest hospital. The lack of emergency healthcare services is one of the many challenges faced by the locals. However, the Borderless World Foundation, based in Jammu and Kashmir, has come to the rescue.
The NGO, based out of the valley, launched an advanced life support ambulance boat, DALPARI, earlier in October to cater to the medical emergencies of not only the locals but also the tourists visiting the lake. With state-of-the-art medical equipment and well-trained paramedics, DALPARI ensures that critical patients receive timely and efficient medical care.
Talking about the initiative, Adhik Kadam, founder and chairman of the Borderless World Foundation, said,
We had heard multiple stories from Dal people—how they were unable to access medical services on time and how difficult it was for them to receive even the smallest of medical assistance. A journey of more than 40 minutes that the residents have to cover is a task. Hence, we thought of establishing DALPARI.
With DALPARI, the foundation will reach out to more than 45 mohallas in and around Dal Lake, Mr Kadam informed.
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What Is DALPARI Equipped With?
The ambulance is equipped with basic and advanced life support systems, including airway equipment, a cardiac monitor, IV fluids, medications, an external defibrillator, blood pressure monitoring equipment, Pulse Oximetry, emergency bags and boxes, Oxygen delivery services and much more.
The boat has a team of six people, which includes a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, lab technician, pilot, and a lifeguard who coordinates between the locals and the doctor. The residents are provided with a local number to reach out for DALPARI services, Mr Kadam informed.
How Are The Services Provided?
DALPARI operates round the clock, ensuring that medical assistance is available at any time of the day or night. Its presence in Dal Lake helps overcome the challenges posed by congested and narrow roads, enabling faster access to medical services.
With DALPARI, the foundation aims to reduce response time in medical emergencies, especially in remote areas of Dal Lake. This initiative not only benefits the residents but also provides a sense of security to tourists visiting the area.
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NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoilets are used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
