Health camp for senior citizens held at snowbound Gatipora in Shopian

Srinagar, Feb 4: A free health camp for senior citizens was successfully conducted at Gatipora, Shopian, under the aegis of the JK Bank Heart Clinic on Wheels.

The camp was organised by the Moul Mouj Foundation and Ummeed Foundation, with support from GK Labs and Chinar International, as per a press release.

The camp was held in the upper reaches of Shopian district, which recently experienced heavy snowfall of up to 3–4 feet, making access difficult. Despite these challenging conditions, around 192 senior patients were examined and provided free consultations, investigations, and medicines on the spot.

Screening during the camp revealed a high burden of uncontrolled chronic diseases. Several patients were found to have very high blood sugar levels, in some cases reaching up to 500 mg/dl, while many had severely uncontrolled blood pressure readings as high as 220/130 mmHg. On-the-spot cardiac evaluations led to the diagnosis of heart failure in four patients, who had earlier been treated for lung infections due to symptoms of cough and breathlessness.

The camp also highlighted a high prevalence of nutraceutical deficiencies among post-menopausal women, along with widespread complaints of joint pains. A significant number of patients were found to have poorly controlled diabetes and hypertension, underscoring gaps in regular follow-up and treatment adherence. Treatment protocols were optimised, and patients were started or adjusted on evidence-based therapies as per standard clinical guidelines.

Senior Geriatric Consultant, Dr Zubair Saleem, while thanking the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and its Director Dr Jehangir Bakshi along with his team for their support, conducted awareness sessions for seniors and their caregivers. He emphasised the importance of regular intake of prescribed medicines and cautioned against stopping treatment once blood pressure or blood sugar levels appear to normalise. The beneficiaries expressed satisfaction over receiving on-the-spot diagnosis and treatment, especially given the difficult terrain and weather conditions. As part of its ongoing commitment, the Moul Mouj Foundation identified five senior citizens during the camp for lifelong free treatment under its Lifetime Privilege Card programme. The organisers reiterated their resolve to continue reaching underserved and remote areas to ensure timely, accessible, and dignified healthcare for senior citizens.