Additional emergency medicines for Kashmir: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Saturday said additional consignments of emergency medicines will be despatched to flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.

Harsh Vardhan who reviewed the situation in the region during a day-long tour, said various kinds of antibiotics, oral rehydration solution sachets, anti-diarrhoeal drugs, chlorine tablets, bleaching powder, medicines for eye and skin infections, IV fluids and other essential drugs will be sent within the next few days.

"We have already despatched a large quantity of medicines over the past week but on seeing the needs there myself, I feel we have to boost up the stocks to deal with the post-flood situation which from my experience tends to drag on for months," he said.

"I have requested the Jammu and Kashmir government officials to feel free to ask for anything because Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself pledged whole-hearted support," he said.

Soon after arriving in Jammu, the minister took a meeting of state officials to review the situation.

In Poonch, the minister saw the all-round devastation. He said "Many houses and shops have been washed away due to flooding of river Poonch, flowing by the town. I visited the relief camp and interacted with the people to know their difficulties. I assured them of full support from New Delhi."

The minister visited patients at the district hospital in Poonch town where 26 people reportedly died in the floods.

Harsh Vardhan said: "A team of doctors from central government hospitals is ready to be sent. The Indian Medical Association and the Delhi Medical Association are also standing by. I have asked the commissioner to work out a detailed deployment plan."