As covid-19 takes a firmer grip on India and various other countries across the globe, the efforts of Kashmiri doctors in the diaspora are earning global praises.
300 Kashmiri doctors living abroad, are providing free treatment to people around the clock in various countries including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
According to news reports, Kashmiri doctors in the diaspora have treated thousands of patients after gathering under the banner of the Kashmir Healthcare Support group, and have also given free consultancy to more than 20,000 patients online, since July. Ranging from cardiologists, physicians, orthopedics to doctors who specialize in all types of treatment, the group has been helping the patients fight the pandemic.
One of the doctors, Dr. Altaf, a Senior Cardiac Anesthesiologist serving in Saudi Arabia, says that initially, only a few doctors were involved. Then the doctors serving in the Gulf Countries joined.
They say that it is not possible for patients to go to hospitals during the pandemic, so we provide them online help. In such a situation, we provide medical advice, create awareness in patients and give them e-prescription.
“A system has also been created to provide immediate help to serious patients. We keep a record of every patient, so that next time the patient will be referred to the same doctor, who monitored him earlier,” Dr. Altaf said.
Farah, who is one of the many beneficiaries from this facility, says she had a mild cough and fever in the first week of April, after which she tested positive for Covid-19. “It was not possible for the old parents to take me to the hospital. I called the toll-free number of Eshta International, where I was connected to a doctor in Saudi Arabia. The doctor advised me for two weeks, online and prescribed medicines. And after 10 days, I recovered.