Srinagar : The Counseling Cell, in partnership with the Cultural Club at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, successfully conducted two online Faculty Upgradation Programmes aimed at enhancing faculty skills in student mentoring, counseling, mental health, emotional well-being, and emotional intelligence.
The inaugural session was led by Prof. RoohieNaaz Mir, who commended the coordinators for their timely initiative. Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, the Director of NIT Srinagar, underscored the necessity of such faculty development programs in fostering a comprehensive academic environment, highlighting the importance of equipping faculty with both technical and emotional support skills. The workshops, coordinated by Dr. Neeraj Gupta, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dr. Dinesh Kr. Rajendran, and Aamir Bashir, focused on addressing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by students. The first workshop, titled “Student Mentoring Skills Workshop / Student Mentoring & Counselling,” featured Wasim Rashid Kakroo, a clinical psychologist, who discussed prevalent mental health issues among university students, including anxiety, depression, and academic pressure. Faculty members were trained to recognize early signs of emotional distress and behavioral changes in students. The second workshop, “Mental Well-Being & Emotional Intelligence for Faculty / Mental Health & Well-Being,” included Dr. Devendra Singh Basera, a neuro-psychiatrist, who emphasized the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in academia. He argued that academic success is insufficient without effective teaching and leadership skills, which are enhanced by EI. Dr. Basera provided insights into how emotional intelligence contributes to better communication, resilience, and conflict resolution, while also addressing real-world academic challenges faced by faculty. He shared strategies for fostering empathy and psychological safety within educational settings, reinforcing the idea that emotional intelligence is essential for creating supportive academic environments.

New Delhi, Srinagar :In a significant move aimed at strengthening drug regulation and promoting the rational use of medicines, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, making it mandatory for consumers to produce a valid doctor’s prescription to purchase all syrups, including cough syrups.
The decision comes through the Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry on June 9, 2026, and has come into force with immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the notification, the government has amended Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, by removing the word “Syrups” from the list of medicines that were previously exempted from certain provisions governing retail sale. As a result, syrups can no longer be sold over the counter without a prescription.
The amendment follows a public consultation process initiated through a draft notification issued in December 2025. The Centre stated that objections and suggestions received from stakeholders and the public were examined before the final rules were notified after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
Health experts believe the move is intended to curb the growing trend of self-medication and misuse of liquid formulations, particularly cough syrups. In recent years, concerns have been raised over the indiscriminate use of cough syrups containing ingredients that may cause adverse effects when consumed without medical supervision.
Officials said that requiring a prescription would help ensure that patients receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment rather than relying on self-prescribed medicines for symptoms that could indicate more serious health conditions.
The new rule is also expected to improve monitoring of medicine sales and promote responsible dispensing practices among pharmacists.
With the amendment taking effect, pharmacies across the country will be required to dispense syrups only upon presentation of a valid prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner.
Consumers who previously purchased cough syrups, fever syrups, antibiotic syrups, digestive syrups, and other liquid medications directly from medical stores will now need to consult a doctor before obtaining these medicines.
Pharmacists may face regulatory action if found selling syrups without adhering to the revised provisions.
The Ministry said the amendment forms part of broader efforts to enhance patient safety and ensure the rational use of medicines. Public health experts have repeatedly highlighted the dangers of uncontrolled access to medicines, including antibiotic resistance, delayed diagnosis, drug interactions, and adverse health outcomes.
The latest amendment is expected to bring greater accountability in medicine dispensing practices while encouraging patients to seek professional medical advice before consuming prescription medications.
The notification has been issued under the powers conferred by Sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and is now applicable across India

The study, conducted under the Indian Council of Medical Research Task Force and coordinated nationally by Director Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and noted endocrinologist M. Ashraf Ganie, is being described as the world’s largest assessment of PCOS, marking a major global contribution to understanding the disorder’s scale and complexity.

Experts say the burden is even higher in Kashmir. Speaking at an international conference at SKMIS, Dr Yoginder Gupta noted that Kashmir faces an even greater challenge, with nearly 30 percent of the population affected by PCOS, indicating a disproportionately high regional burden.

Gupta emphasized that such alarming figures call for collective, multi-sectoral action, stating that PCOS can no longer be addressed in isolation.

He commended the pioneering research led by Prof Ganie, noting that the extensive data generated at SKIMS has been instrumental in shaping national and global understanding of the disorder, including its medical and social implications.

He further noted that the research has enabled the Indian Council of Medical Research to undertake multifactorial studies, addressing not only clinical aspects but also the stigma and broader societal consequences associated with PCOS.

The two-day international conference, which concluded on Sunday, brought together leading national and international experts to deliberate on the growing burden of PCOS, endocrine disorders, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are increasingly being termed a global epidemic.

Chief Guest Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke, chair-elect International Diabetes Federation ( South East Asia Region) & president of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, highlighted that PCOS remains a neglected health issue in several countries. He noted that exposure to the scientific sessions and clinical research at SKIMS has provided valuable insights, which he intends to take back to strengthen healthcare responses in her country.

In his address, Prof Ganie, who is also president of the M.P-PCOS Society outlined key dimensions including the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the societal role in addressing PCOS, and SKIMS’ contributions through research and clinical excellence.

He emphasized the need for evidence-based policymaking and highlighted the institute’s growing academic stature at national and international levels.

Employees demand job policy, pay parity, social security benefits

Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: After 48 hours, National Health Mission (NHM) employees association, Thursday, called off its 48-hour strike across Jammu and Kashmir as Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, assured a time-bound resolution of long-pending demands.
However, protests were reported from several parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city. The development came after a detailed meeting between the health minister and representatives of the NHM Employees Association at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu.
During the meeting, the delegation led by Provincial President Jammu Dr. Vikas Sharma, Provincial President Kashmir Muneer Ahmad Andrabi, and other leaders raised key issues, including lack of job security, delay in salary disbursement, absence of a comprehensive job policy, limited career progression, and denial of social security benefits such as EPF and retirement cover. They also demanded implementation of the principle of “equal work, equal pay.”
During the interaction, the delegation apprised the Minister of various challenges faced by NHM employees, including service security, timely disbursement of salaries, career progression, and strengthening of workplace support systems.
The representatives emphasized the crucial role played by NHM staff in delivering healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Listening patiently to the concerns raised, the Minister acknowledged the significant contribution of NHM employees in strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery and improving public health outcomes.
She appreciated their dedication and commitment, especially during challenging times when healthcare workers remained at the forefront of service.
Itoo assured the delegation that the government is committed to addressing genuine and long-pending grievances in a phased and practical manner.
She reiterated that the welfare of healthcare workers remains a priority for the government, adding that constructive engagement between the administration and employee representatives is essential for building a responsive and resilient healthcare system.
Following the assurances, the NHM Employees Association announced withdrawal of the strike, stating that the decision was taken in the larger interest of patient care and public healthcare services.
However, the Association issued a two-month ultimatum to the government, warning that failure to address their demands within the stipulated timeframe would lead to renewed agitation.
As the strike was officially called off, protests by NHM employees were reported from multiple districts across Kashmir, including Pattan, where employees continued their agitation for the second consecutive day.
The protesting employees reiterated their demands for a comprehensive job policy, immediate pay revision, enforcement of “equal work, equal pay,” and extension of social security benefits.
NHM spokesperson Mohammad Shafi Para said employees remain concerned over job insecurity and inadequate wages.
“We have been working for years without any job security. Despite performing the same duties as regular employees, we are paid far less. This injustice must be addressed,” Para said.
He added that NHM employees have played a crucial role in the healthcare system, especially during challenging times, but their issues continue to be ignored.
The protestors urged the government to translate its assurances into concrete action, warning that protests could intensify if their demands are not addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
Earlier on Wednesday, on the first day, NHM employees observed a complete strike across Jammu & Kashmir, highlighting their genuine demands, including formulation of a comprehensive job policy, immediate pay revision, social security benefits, including retirement benefits, extension of EPF benefits to all cadres, implementation of payment parity, loyalty benefits, and other long-pending issues.
The Association further thanked various employee organizations, including J&K Medical Employees Federation, J&K EJAC and All CHOs Association J&K for extending their valuable support and solidarity during the strike.

This was informed by Prof. Iffat Hassan, Principal/Dean, GMC Srinagar, who termed the development a landmark achievement in strengthening advanced medical education and healthcare delivery in Jammu & Kashmir.

Government Medical College Srinagar and its associated hospitals (SMHS, Lal Ded, Bone & Joint, IMHANS, Super speciality hospital, Chest Diseases Hospital, Children hospital and Kashmir nursing home) with more than 3200 bed strength is the largest specialised  health care provider  in UT of JK and treated more than 27.5 lac patients with more than 2.57  lac admissions last year, has established its position as the number one medical educator in UT and one of the largest  in North India offering broad and wide range of courses from MBBS, MD/MS, DNB, DM/ MCh, DrNB and FNB Courses.

Under the latest expansion, the college has been granted two seats each in DM Pulmonary Medicine, DM Cardiology, DM Medical Gastroenterology, M.Ch Paediatric Surgery and M.Ch Urology.

GMC Srinagar started in 2021 with two M.Ch Urology seats, followed by two DM Neurology seats last year, has now culminated in the addition of 10 new super-speciality seats, heralding a new era in super-speciality medical education at GMC Srinagar.

At the undergraduate level, MBBS seats have increased from 180 to 200 in 2025-2026 session. Postgraduate (MD/MS) seats have risen from 259 to 277 during the same session.

Additionally, DrNB Thoracic Surgery and FNB in Paediatric Nephrology accredited by the National Board of Examination were also sanctioned in 2025-2026 session. The other courses introduced during last two years include Post Basic Nursing with 80 students per year, MSc Nursing 25 seats per year and 20 seats in post P.G diploma course in addiction psychology.

Besides, the college admits around 1000 students per year in Nursing and Allied healthcare courses which include GNM and other Diplomas, BSc Nursing and students of BSc Allied Health care. In addition, PhD Clinical Biochemistry and MPhil Clinical Psychology are also run in the Institution.

Health experts have described the approval of additional super-speciality seats as a transformative step not only in the history of GMC Srinagar but also for the entire Union Territory. The move is expected to create a pool of highly specialised professionals and significantly reduce referrals outside J&K for advanced cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal and paediatric surgical care.

Training more super-specialists locally strengthens the public health system and improves access to complex treatment. It reduces delays and lowers the financial burden on families who previously sought care outside the region.

Public hospitals in Kashmir deliver most secondary and tertiary care and manage a significant burden of cardiovascular, respiratory and chronic disease. Health policy experts have emphasised that expanding in-state specialist training is crucial for ensuring continuity of care and building long-term workforce stability in the healthcare sector.

Anantnag: Behind the closed doors of homes across Jammu and Kashmir, a growing number of couples are confronting a deeply personal crisis that is increasingly becoming a public health concern. Doctors and counselors say infertility cases are rising steadily in the region, straining marriages, affecting mental health and exposing the harsh weight of social stigma.

While official district-wise figures remain limited, global and national data underscore the magnitude of the issue. The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people worldwide experience infertility during their lifetime, calling it a significant public health challenge. The agency defines infertility as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse.

In India, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) shows declining fertility rates nationwide, alongside a measurable proportion of couples reporting difficulty in conception, particularly in urban populations and among couples marrying later in life. Health experts say Jammu and Kashmir reflects similar patterns, compounded by lifestyle shifts and social pressures unique to the region.

Clinics See Growing Footfall.

At tertiary care institutions such as Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Government Medical College Anantnag, doctors report a noticeable increase in couples seeking fertility evaluation over the past five years.

“Earlier, couples would wait several years before consulting a specialist. Now many come within the first year of marriage,” said a senior gynecologist at Government Medical College Anantnag, who requested anonymity as she was not authorized to speak publicly.

Medical professionals attribute the rise to delayed marriages, rising stress levels, obesity, hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, untreated reproductive infections and environmental factors. Male infertility, doctors emphasize, accounts for nearly 40% to 50% of cases globally, yet social blame continues to fall disproportionately on women.

Marriage Under Pressure

In a society where parenthood is often seen as central to marital stability, childlessness can quickly trigger scrutiny from extended families. Counselors in South Kashmir say pressure begins within months of marriage, especially in joint family systems.

“Marriage here is closely tied to the expectation of children,” said a family counselor based in Anantnag. “When conception does not happen, the woman is usually the first to be questioned, even before medical tests are done.”

Legal experts note that while infertility is rarely cited as a standalone ground in divorce petitions, it frequently surfaces during counseling or mediation as a source of persistent conflict. In some cases, it leads to separation or second marriages.

Mental Health Consequences

Psychologists warn that infertility can result in depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and social withdrawal. Women often report feelings of inadequacy and isolation, particularly in rural areas where societal expectations remain rigid.

Men, too, face silent psychological strain. Cultural notions linking fertility with masculinity discourage many from seeking testing or counseling.

“The trauma is layered — medical, emotional and social,” said Dr. Arshid Ahmad, a senior clinical psychologist in Anantnag. “Couples internalize blame. The secrecy around infertility deepens mental health distress.”

Experts say the lack of open conversation prevents early intervention, both medically and psychologically.

Social Stigma Persists

In several parts of the Valley, infertility is still surrounded by superstition and moral judgment. Women may be excluded from certain ceremonies or face insensitive remarks within their communities.

Although assisted reproductive technologies are available in urban centers such as Srinagar, high treatment costs and social hesitation limit access for many families. Health officials argue that awareness campaigns and premarital reproductive health education are urgently needed.

Public health advocates stress that infertility is a medical condition — not a moral failing.

A Call for Compassion and Policy Response

Experts recommend comprehensive fertility screening for both partners, integration of mental health counseling into reproductive care and community sensitization programs led by health departments, educators and religious leaders.

They also call for more region-specific data collection to better understand the scope of the issue in Jammu and Kashmir.

As global statistics show infertility affecting millions, the growing number of cases in the Valley signals a challenge that extends beyond medicine. It is testing marital bonds, reshaping family dynamics and revealing the urgent need for empathy in a society where silence often magnifies suffering.

For many couples in Jammu and Kashmir, the struggle is not only about having a child — it is about preserving dignity, mental well-being and the very foundation of marriage amid mounting social pressure.

Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing tangible progress in maternal and child health, positioning J&K among the better-performing regions in the country. For instance, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the Union Territory stands at 47 per 100,000 live births, substantially lower than the national average of 88. This achievement is attributed to improved institutional delivery care, wider availability of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and blood services, along with strengthened referral transport systems under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Jammu & Kashmir has also performed commendably in infant and neonatal health indicators. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 10 while the early NMR stands at 6, both significantly better than the national averages of 19 and 13, respectively. The Under-5 Mortality Rate in the UT is 15, compared to the national average of 29 while the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 14, against the national average of 25.

The Union Territory has further achieved impressive immunization outcomes with full immunization coverage reaching 96.5 per cent, placing J&K among the highest-performing regions in the country. This progress is attributed to intensified routine immunization drives and robust monitoring mechanis

In another significant step, Jammu & Kashmir is introducing the HPV vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 14–15 years, reinforcing its preventive healthcare framework.

These achievements reflect the Union Territory’s sustained commitment towards strengthening the healthcare delivery and position Jammu & Kashmir among the better-performing States and Union Territories in the country.

Srinagar   With Kashmir firmly in the grip of an intense winter, the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has issued an urgent public health advisory, cautioning people against a noticeable surge in heart-related emergencies during the cold season.

Doctors have warned that delays in seeking medical help can prove fatal, stressing that many winter-related cardiac events are preventable with timely care and precautionary measures.

In the advisory cardiac specialists at GMC Srinagar highlighted that extreme cold places additional stress on the human heart, particularly among vulnerable groups.

“Timely medical intervention saves lives. Waiting for symptoms to pass can have irreversible consequences,” the advisory clearly underlined, urging people not to ignore even mild warning signs.