Mary Werntz, Regional Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), called on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, in the Civil Secretariat, this afternoon.Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Navin K. Chaudhary and Nicolas Guy Lenssens, Delegate ICRC, were also present on the occasion.During the meeting, Werntz briefed the Chief Minister about the wide array of humanitarian activities being carried out by the international organization across the globe. She specifically mentioned to the Chief Minister the broadening of the scope of ICRC activities, particularly related to livelihood support among needy and poor, emancipation of women and building capacity of volunteers. While appreciating the philanthropic work undertaken by ICRC, Mehbooba Mufti said her government will partner the organization in its endeavour of involving youth in civic education, first-aiders and training initiatives.
The Chief Minister was particularly impressed by the lead taken by ICRC in reaching out to the physically-disabled through prosthesis and other surgical interventions. She also praised the good work done by ICRC in health hygiene in schools of Poonch and Rajouri districts.Placing high priority on improving emergency response in our healthcare institutions, the Chief Minister welcomed suggestions from Mary Werntz in upgrading infrastructure, especially in paediatric hospitals like G. B. Panth.The Chief Minister also suggested if ICRC could be involved in advancement of skills commensurate to the requirement of emerging economic environment, which will enable the youth to be gainfully employed.The Principal Secretary informed the meeting about the efforts of the state government in trying to support JK Chapter of the Indian Red Cross in terms of handholding for enhancing its capabilities.