| Elderly people, students, worst affected amid crisis | | |
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Amid the prevailing crisis, the elderly people and students are worst affected due to continuous shutdown in Kashmir.
The Kashmir is under shutdown and facing communication blockade since August 5 following the Centre's decision of abrogation of Article 370, 35A and bifurcation of state into two union territories.
At the same time, the elderly people and students are worst affected.
Taking instance, Government Day Care Centre for senior citizens at Primary Health Care Chanapora in Srinagar remains closed.
Suffering from osteoporosis, Abdul Wahid, 63, has visited the Centre several times since August 5 but to no avail.
"I am suffering from pain in the knees for last several weeks. I tried massage and popped pain killers, but nothing seems to have worked. Today, I felt an immediate need to see a doctor. Unfortunately the center is closed. I am a poor man and cannot afford the expensive treatment at private clinics. Now I will have to go back and probably live with the pain till the center opens. Nobody is concerned about elderly people," Wahid, a resident of Budgam said.
Similarly, Abdul Rashid, a resident of Pulwama is suffering from dementia and orthopedic ailments.
"Dementia has faded his memory. He even forgets my name at times. His health has deteriorated over the last few weeks. He gets so stubborn sometimes that he refuses to have food or any medicine," his son, Mehraj said.
The facility started operating this year and it used to have OPD sessions on Mondays and Fridays. "It has been receiving a lot of patients suffering from multiple ailments including hypertension, cardiac diseases, respiratory tract infections, thyroid, gastrointestinal, neurological and orthopedic diseases," he said.
"A lot of patients have visited since then. It is heart breaking to see elderly patients who struggle to come here despite restrictions and return without receiving any treatment," a local said.
Similarly, students too are facing huge losses in the current situation. "It is difficult to send children to schools as there are always apprehensions of stone pelting. Our children are suffering huge losses. Announcement of reopening of schools won't bear any results unless some concrete measures are taken," said, Bashir Ahmad, whose son teaches at a private school in Srinagar. |
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