J&K Chopan Welfare Association, RTI Movement -RTIM Jammu & Kashmir and J&K Climate Action Group have demanded that mobile health centres be set up for pastoralist communities in the highland pastures of Kashmir and Jammu regions for two months in July and August.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday the organisations have appealed Chief Minister and Health Minister to send at least paramedical teams from local health department to highland pastures as pastoralist communities suffer due to basic health care
“Vets and Para Vets from Animal and Sheep husbandry departments are seen in highland pastures during summer months every year but when it comes to human health such a facility is available. For basic treatment the shepherds like chopans , bakerwals or gaddis have to travel 20 to 30 kms to get the treatment in some government dispensary or PHC. We appeal authorities to send mobile medical teams to different pasturelands of J&K for at least 2 months in June and July,” said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman J&K Climate Action Group & Founder of RTI Movement
“Every year, thousands of Chopans, Bakarwals, Gaddis, Gujjars and other nomadic families migrate to high-altitude grazing grounds from May to October. These pastures are officially mapped and regulated by the Sheep Husbandry Department, yet the human beings living and working there for 6 months face a complete medical blackout. Over 2 lakh pastoralists and their families spend the migration season in 200+ recognized pastures across the UT, with no doctor, no medicine, and no emergency care. Each season sees cases of bear attacks, high altitude sickness, snake bites, and severe respiratory infections go untreated,” said Abdul Ahad Chopan, Spokesman J&K Chopan Welfare Association.
