*Announcement of two mobile medical units for Rajouri and Poonch regions
Excelsior Correspondent
KOTRANKA, (RAJOURI), Dec 15: Following the unfortunate deaths of seven individuals from two families in Budhal village due to an unidentified illness, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, visited the Sub-Division Kotranka to assess the situation and the ongoing response measures.
The Ministers led an in-depth review meeting with high-ranking officials, including Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of Health and Medical Education. Minister Itoo highlighted the urgent need to reinforce health systems, enforce social distancing, accelerate forensic laboratory results, and directed the Food & Supplies Department to gather and test additional samples, while also instructing the Animal Husbandry Department to test milk samples. Furthermore, she recommended that a team of doctors remain stationed in Kotranka and proposed the establishment of an MRI facility in the area to enhance diagnostic services.
Minister Javed Rana underlined the necessity of water quality assessments in surrounding areas by the monitoring team. He also announced the deployment of two mobile medical units for the Rajouri and Poonch districts, each costing approximately ₹1 crore from the Tribal Affairs Department. These units will come fully equipped with essential medical supplies and staffed by healthcare professionals, designed to provide a range of healthcare services including preventive care, diagnostics, and treatment of common ailments.
Additionally, he called on forest officials to prepare and submit a Detailed Project Report for water conservation through the construction of check dams to address long-term water management concerns.
A central team of experts from the NCDC, PGIMER Chandigarh, and ICMR is on its way to Rajouri to aid in the investigation and provide technical support related to the unidentified illness.
Both ministers reaffirmed the government’s steadfast dedication to ensuring that all necessary facilities and assistance are provided to affected families and communities.
MLA Budhal, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, commended the district administration for their efforts.
The Secretary of Health briefed the meeting on critical interventions, including the deployment of rapid response teams, ensuring the availability of logistics, medications, and ambulances, and the establishment of isolation wards at GMC Rajouri, Jammu, and SMGS Hospital.
Earlier, DC Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, presented a comprehensive overview of the situation, detailing the timeline of events, spot maps, objectives, and case definitions.
The meeting included participation from SSP Rajouri, Gaurav Sikarwar, ADDC Rajouri, Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, Director of Health Services Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Mangotra, Principal of GMC Rajouri, AS Bhatia, Medical Superintendent Shamim Ahmed, CMO Rajouri, Manohar Rana, and other district officials.
