Testimonials by Doctors and Experts on Covid Outreach
Dr. AANISA
Chief coordinator
Public health, Ehsaas International
Ehsaas International provided me an opportunity for helping the people of Kashmir in need of medical emergencies during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being a doctor and currently pursuing my master’s in Public Health, this Noble service not only allowed me to shape up my future career in research, but also nourished my knowledge of dealing with patients accordingly. I conducted various awareness programs related to COVID-19 virus in rural areas. This program allowed me to engage with volunteers by teaching them the basic rules of using oximeter, oxygen concentrators, and first-aid. Under my supervision, these trained volunteers participated in collecting data from various districts to identify the vulnerable group of people residing in Kashmir. These vulnerable people were then referred to the Dial-A-Doctor service for the doctor consultation.
Furthermore, I dealt with patients suffering from COVID-19 virus symptoms by providing them with oxygen concentrators through funds. Recordings of oxygen saturation were collected daily from every patient to investigate the efficiency of the concentrators. Ehsaas International also assigned me the job for organizing medical outreach programs, where the local population was treated free of cost by various known doctors from SKIMS.
As a recent volunteer, I have seen Ehsaas International work with dignity and humbleness to benefit our Kashmiri people in the two most important categories: Education and Health Care.
I would like to see Ehsaas and its members for indulging more in paramedical training of the young generation (boys and girls) of Kashmir to achieve the basic knowledge about health care service and also to conduct outreach programs regarding women health and hygiene. I feel obliged to be a part of such a renowned organization and would always look forward to contribute my time and energy in any way possible.
FAROOQ WANDROO
British Kashmiri Charitable Foundation (BKCF)
Consultant Hematologist National Health Services
London, England Chairman BKCM
Current COVID-19 pandemic has shaken humanity throughout the world. Kashmir is no exception, but given the already turbulent situation in Kashmir, matters were anticipated to get worse. Hence BKCF was proactive in planning to provide help both to healthcare workers as well the general public. Given the prevailing situation in the valley it is always difficult for Kashmiri diaspora to do any charity work. We are highly thankful to EHSAAS International Charity for collaborating with us in in doing some charity work for the people of Kashmir. We mainly worked with them on following projects.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE Project) we were able to provide PPE to a number of hospitals in the valley including SKIMS, JVC, SMHS Hospital as well district hospitals of mainly north Kashmir like Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Sumbal, Kupwara etc. The volunteers of EHSAAS worked at a phenomenal pace during these difficult circumstances of lockdown and the fragile political and law & order scenario of the valley. They used their own volunteers and ensured PPE kits were handed over to the respective authorities/ local volunteers in an open and transparent manner.
- Food Parcel Project Due to COVID-19 lockdown we were conscious that the economy in the valley will take a worse hit and that common people will suffer due to lockdown. Since EHSAAS already has a running programme of providing food parcels to the needy, BKCF collaborated with them and was able to provide full food packages for hundreds of families in Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla during the month of April/May 2020.
- Oxygen Concentrators, Pulse Oximeters and N95 Masks. Many moderately symptomatic patients suffer from breathlessness for which they require to be put on oxygen supply which is not possible at home without oxygen concentrators. Few such equipment and 100s of oximeters were purchased and handed over to EHSAAS International so that it can be provided to patients in home care who are in need of it. Staff at healthcare facilities were facing shortage of N95 Masks and lots of medics are getting Covid Positive due to this. We purchased N95 Masks in bulk to provide to healthcare workers. Above all we are highly thankful to the chief executive and other volunteers of EHSAAS International for being forthcoming, open and transparent in financial matters. They are no doubt highly learned people and humble in their attitude. We pray to Almighty to give us more opportunity to continue to work with Ehsaas International in future.
SHUJA YOUSUF
Gastroenterologist
United States of America, EMS Project KASHMER
Covid 19 pandemic has been a challenge to healthcare systems across the world and has seen the most advanced systems crumble. It has created a tsunami like effect in all aspects of human life. Through this calamity non-profit organizations world over have been pivotal in helping the healthcare facilities with their response to COVID. KASHMER(Kashmiri American Society for Healthcare, Medical Education and Research) is a US based healthcare organization primarily working towards improving healthcare in underdeveloped areas like Kashmir. We currently run two advanced care ambulances as part of our 24/7 EMS service in Kashmir along with a number of other projects in collaboration with local partners. COVID SARS 2 has tested the capability of the best facilities in the most developed countries like the USA. It has been a challenge for healthcare workers on front lines including EMS services, part of which was a shortage of PPE in the world’s most developed nation. Compare this to the areas like Kashmir in the subcontinent that already have a lot of challenges on the system and the reason for worry and alarm is understandable. We were naturally concerned about the safety of our EMS staff. This is when we heard and read about the initiative of Ehsaas International to procure PPE for healthcare providers in Kashmir. Several of our team members have personally known about Ehsaas team for the past several years and their involvement in several social projects. Ehsaas took it on themselves to procure and provide PPE for healthcare providers in Kashmir. Ehsaas acted as a beacon of hope in the face of chaos, panic and anxiety in the public. It provided much needed PPE which was locally produced and constantly improved based on expert opinions as per Ehsaas. We are really indebted and grateful to Ehsaas International for this humanitarian and entrepreneurial work. This includes providing our EMS team much needed PPE kits at a time when it was hard to lay hands on adequate PPE. Ehsaas has a very dedicated and motivated team who work tirelessly to keep healthcare providers safe. We salute the selfless, dedicated and motivated staff of Ehsaas.
SHAHEEN SHOHRA
Consultant Psychiatrist
NHS united Kingdom
ATHWAS, United Kingdom
As the world was affected by pandemic Covid-19 in 2020, a group of British Kashmiris ‘ATHWAS’ came together to help and support to help people back home in Kashmir. We did some ground work and decided three local not-for-profit organizations based in Kashmir. Ehsaas International was one of the charity organization that we chose for being a non-political, social organization that worked for the benefit of local Kashmiris Ehsaas u holds the principles of humanity care and respect for all which was in tune with the core values of Athwas, UK. As a link person from Athwas, I communicated regularly with Hakim Mohammad Ilyas, General Secretary of Ehsaas, I found Ilyas extremely helpful, reliable and very knowledgeable with regards to the prevailing situation in Kashmir and the clarity around needs of Common people. We therefore, identified some priority areas which we worked together on and used the donations towards monthly food and ration kits to poor and needy families , free hot meals to attendants of patients from far fling areas admitted in various Srinagar hospitals and in procurement of Oxygen Concentrators. We continue to explore areas of opportunities for empowerment of able but rather needy and highly motivated young Kashmiris to help them become self-reliant. Since our work with Ehsaas through our Covid-19 Fundraiser, we have also come to know about the main work Ehsaas does for promotion of social reformers and education development of Kashmiris which is very impressive .We thank Ehsaas International, their Chairman Syed Tabasum Gelani, General Secretary , Mohammad Ilyas and their dedicated team of volunteers for their productice collaboration with Athwas , UK and their amazing work for people of Kashmir.
Dr. Ashiq Rashid Mir
Surveillance officer (WHO)
World Health Organisation India
My introduction to Ehsaas international happened when the pandemic had just started to create havoc and Health Care Workers were exposed because of the scarcity of PPE kits, Their initiative to provide locally made PPEs of Standard quality in a short period provide locally made PPEs of standard quality in a short period provided the short in the arm for front line workers. Awareness generation videos by specialists form around the world followed by Tele-consultations which keep the people . Collaborative efforts with other organisations like District legal cell to provide awareness of the right of children in the orphanage and other similar programs gave insight into the the multidimensional and society oriented aspect of Ehsaas international only to grow further with the prayers of millions who have benefited directly or indirectly with the contribution form Ehsaas International . I can only see it make more difference ot the lives of people who need it more.