TB testing ramped up to three times for early detection of cases in Kashmir

Around 2.25 lakh tests done this year so far: Officials

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Nov 27 (KNO): A coordinated effort to combat tuberculosis (TB) in Kashmir division has led to a substantial increase in testing initiatives, and is aimed at early detection and reduced transmission rates.

Health officials informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that TB testing programmes have expanded to identify cases during the initial stages.

According to the officials, testing has seen a threefold increase compared to the previous year, with a focus on detecting cases early in the course of the disease.

In 2020, 63,307 presumptive examinations were conducted, followed by 95,290 in 2021, 97,647 in 2022, and 220,558 examinations till October this year.

The intensified testing efforts are aimed at facilitating timely treatment, reducing transmission rates and breaking the chain of TB transmission within communities, they said, adding that the rapid and accurate diagnostic tools play a crucial role in confirming TB cases swiftly, allowing healthcare professionals to initiate appropriate interventions promptly.

The officials said the proactive approach to TB testing not only improves individual health outcomes but also contributes to the broader goal of eliminating the disease.

Investments in TB testing infrastructure, along with innovative diagnostic technologies, underscore a commitment to addressing this persistent health challenge though on the decline in Kashmir, they said.

Authorities in Kashmir have also adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to detect potential tuberculosis cases, enhancing surveillance efforts with the aim of making the division TB-free.

Dr Adfar Qadri, the State Tuberculosis Officer, told KNO that tuberculosis is on the decline in Kashmir.

“We will achieve TB elimination by 2025 as we are doing intensified and active case finding and case screening,” Dr Adfar said, adding, “Several measures have been taken over the years to develop infrastructure and employ manpower for the early detection and effective treatment of the disease.”—(KNO)

Additional 500Mws will bring normalcy, relief to people: Principal Secretary PDD

‘Govt to sign PPA in a day or two’

Mubashir Aalam Wani

Srinagar, Nov 27 (KNO): An additional 500 MW of electricity, which the government has decided to purchase, will bring the valley out of the present power crisis, officials said.

Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, H Rajesh Prasad told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they will be able to maintain the curtailment schedule within the valley.

“These additional 500 MW will bring normalcy and relief to the people. We will be able to maintain the power cut schedule. People will get electricity as the load shedding will be maintained,” he said as per KNO.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday approved the purchase of an additional 500 MW of firm power from the Ministry of Power (MOP) to meet the base load power requirement of J&K.

To bridge this gap between demand and availability of power during winter months, the AC approved the signing of a fresh Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by J&K Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL) with NTPC regarding Singrauli-III run by NTPC.

Prasad informed KNO that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will be signed in a day or two following which the valley will get the additional power supply.

“We have been waiting for approval. In a day or two, the PPA will be signed by J&K Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL) with NTPC. Formalities have been completed regarding it and now we are ready for the agreement,” he said.

The Principal Secretary PDD said the supply of electricity to the valley has already increased to nearly 1600 MWs. “Currently, we are getting between 1500-1600MWs of electricity. We are hopeful the power situation will enhance with the procurement of additional 500 MWs,” he said.

Prasad said they will also now launch a sustained campaign across the valley for the judicious use of electricity.

“We will now raise awareness among the people for judicious use of electricity. We will use various mediums to highlight the need for judicious use of electricity,” he said.

Pertinently, the valley for the last two months has been facing an acute power crisis.

From domestic to commercial consumers, the power crisis has affected everyone in Kashmir.

While domestic consumers said they didn’t get electricity as per the curtailment schedule, industrialists said their losses have mounted to nearly 75 percent—(KNO)

Night temp improves significantly, widespread rains, snow likely in J&K from Wednesday

Weak WD affecting J&K on Nov 29: MeT

Owais Gul

Srinagar, Nov 27 (KNO): Under the influence of a weak Western Disturbance in Jammu & Kashmir, the widespread rains and snowfall is expected in the Union Territory on November 29 while the minimum temperature has improved across the valley.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the rains and snowfall is expected tomorrow at isolated places amidst the possibility of generally cloudy weather conditions.

However, he said a two-day wet spell is expected on November 29 and 30, saying that the weather would remain generally cloudy while light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected at fairly widespread places with possibility of thunderstorm and lightning at few places as well.

The two-day wet-spell as per Director MeT is expected under the influence of a weak western disturbance, which will affect J & K on November 29.

For the first six days of December, Dr Mukhtar said the weather would remain partly to generally cloudy.

Pertinently, the minimum temperatures have recorded a significant improvement today as the mercury settled above freezing point at multiple places across Kashmir.

Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort and Konibal in Pulwama recorded sub-zero temperatures at minus 1.2 degree Celsius and minus 2.0 degree Celsius.

The mercury in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, settled at 3.5 degree Celsius while in Qazigund, the mercury settled at 2.6 degree Celsius.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at 1.5 degree Celsius while in Kupwara and Kokernag, the mercury settled at 1.8 degree Celsius and 2.8 degree Celsius respectively.

Moreover, the shallow to moderate fog conditions are expected to continue till tomorrow over many places of Kashmir division—(KNO)