Covid-19 pandemic and public health challenges in Jammu & Kashmir

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as prime health challenge of 21st century forcing policy makers, health experts and governance institutions world over to revisit and re-invigorate public health policies through inter-institutional collaborations. Subsequent global lockdowns caused unprecedented shock to world economies, downslide of socio-economic development, concern for public safely, emphasis on augmentation of health infrastructure, capacity building of health care providers and development of effective Corona Virus containment strategies. Health institutions world over are grappling to control spread of the infection through Symptomatic Target Testing, Cluster Testing and Phased Vaccination. Multiple vaccines have been developed with varied efficacy, cost concerns and involvement of logistic issues;leading to vaccine-multilateralism and re-emphasis on universalization of public health policies under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mechanism. This paper aims to assess impact of this grievous pandemic on public health sector of Jammu & Kashmir, explore challenges faced by public health institutions, analyze effectiveness of government interventions and suggest measures for revival of public health care services in the region.Copyright © 2021 JK Practitioner. All rights reserved.