One has to jostle for space in the overcrowded lobby, amidst the clamour of patients and attendees in the suffocating corridors of SMHS hospital to reach the ‘isolated’ ward meant for Coronavirus (Covid-19) patients.
The ward is empty as no case of Coronavirus has been detected yet in Kashmir.
The black-and-white Corona virus awareness posters pasted on its doors, downloaded from the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, seem to catch no one’s attention.
Outside the ward, the coloured Coronavirus health advisory board is fixed. But nobody pays attention. The hospital stench wafts through the air and people roam without masks.
One of the doctors at Super Specialty hospital, wishing to remain anonymous, said that they had to plead for masks. “Why can’t they arrange masks for emergency staff,” he almost shouted.
If one needs a mask, chances are you may not find it easily or if you buy it, the prices may be exorbitant. The masks that Kashmir needs, given its susceptibility to contagious diseases especially flu, are missing. Even the market is exhibiting a huge appetite. Pharmacists informed that these masks are being exported to various places especially China.
One of the leading pharmaceutical distributors said that the three-layer mask called N95 and others are manufactured in China. “There is a shortage because China is importing the masks it had exported to other countries to meet the shortfall at home due to spread of Coronavirus,” he said, “China is paying much higher rates to its outside buyers for the same it had exported earlier at low costs.”
“So, the distributors who have the masks earn more money by exporting it.’’
The normal rate of three-layer mask used to be Rs 2 which has now gone up to Rs 20.
This story is from the March 08-14, 2020; UNMASKED; Issue 49 Vol 11 edition of Kashmir Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 08-14, 2020; UNMASKED; Issue 49 Vol 11 edition of Kashmir Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Before The Kabul Retreat
Described as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, Afghanistan was always termed to be at peace when it was at war. But the land-locked desert country that was always in turmoil and one of the worst targets of the Great Game suffered immensely throughout, especially in the last 40 years, Masood Hussain writes
FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
