Minister of State for Health, Asiya Naqash today inaugurated 2-day workshop on ‘Disaster Medicine’ here. The workshop is being organized by NGO ‘Saving Lives’ in association with ‘Support Trust’ Kashmir.According to the organizers, the workshop is an initiative to have a full-fledged faculty of Disaster Medicine in J&K.The function was also attended by Dr Peter Patel representing ‘Saving Lives’ project, Dr Amit Wanchoo, Dr Lubna Khan, Azmat Makhdoomi, Dr Fazal Parray, officers of health department, NGO representatives, paramedics and voluntary workers.Speaking on the occasion, Asiya urged the organizers to chalk out a strategic plan to facilitate setting up of a full-fledged Institute of Disaster Medicine in J&K, which will not only train volunteers and medicos but also generate employment opportunities for the youth.She extended her support to the initiative and congratulated ‘Support Trust’ for organizing the event.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Amit Wanchoo stressed the need for such a faculty in the state especially considering the nature of disasters that the state is prone to. He further added that September floods taught us a lot and we need to have a full-fledged plan for disaster medicine so that valuable lives can be saved.Dr Peter Patel in his presentation welcomed the idea of setting up Faculty of Disaster Medicine in J&K after successfully launching it in Pune and Chennai. He further promised to have a 5-day workshop for disaster medicine and providing an opportunity for trainees to be trained by international staff.Dr Lubna Khan and Azmat Makhdoomi thanked Director Health Services, Director NHM, NGOs, and other dignitaries for making the event successful.