Srinagar, Jan 01: Marking the first day of the New Year with a meaningful public welfare initiative, J&K Bank dedicated a ‘Heart Clinic on Wheels’ for the people of Jammu & Kashmir under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
Today, the Bank’s Executive Director Sudhir Gupta handed over the Keys of fully-equipped mobile cardiac-care unit to the Regional Head of Ummeed Foundation Dr Zubair Saleem in presence of Chief General Manager Imtiyaz Ahmad, General Manager (CSR) Mohammad Muzaffar Wani, DGM Hafeeza Rahim, senior cardiologist and Project Advisor Dr Khursheed Aslam Khan and other senior functionaries here at the Bank’s Corporate Headquarters.
Implemented by a not-for- profit organization Ummeed Foundation with nation wide presence, which has over a decade of experience in community healthcare and cardiac interventions, the project also includes training of community health workers, public awareness programmes on cardiac-health and the creation of a digital health registry to ensure follow-up and continuity of care.
While extending New Year greetings to the people on the occasion, Executive Director Sudhir Gupta said that the Bank remains steadfast in its mission of serving-to-empower through its meaningful people-centric interventions.
He further said, “We are happy to have begun this year by making a tangible difference in people’s lives as every CSR initiative is guided by our commitment to the progress and well-being of people. Access to timely cardiac care can make the difference between life and loss, particularly in the geographically challenging regions of Jammu & Kashmir. Through the ‘Heart Clinic on Wheels’, the Bank has facilitated the access of critical healthcare services to the doorsteps of those who need them the most.”
Executive Director further noted that the initiative goes beyond treatment and focuses equally on prevention and awareness. “By combining screening, counselling, referrals and community awareness, this project addresses a critical healthcare gap while aligning with our CSR vision of inclusive and sustainable development,” he added.
Speaking about the mobile cardiac-care unit, Dr Khursheed Aslam Khan said, “The Heart Clinic on Wheels is equipped with advanced AI-enabled diagnostic systems that enable on-the-spot evaluation and real-time clinical decision-making, ensuring timely and evidence-based treatment. The mobile unit is fully equipped with life-saving emergency facilities, including a ventilator, defibrillator, and essential cardiac support systems, enabling immediate stabilization of patients.”
Wherever required, he added, structured and rapid referrals to higher centres are seamlessly coordinated to ensure continuity of advanced care.
The fully-funded project aims to screen and diagnose over 5000 people in its first year—primarily elderly citizens, defence personnel and their families, and high-risk individuals—while facilitating referrals and transport for advanced treatment where required. Over the coming years, the initiative is expected to benefit tens of thousands of people across the UT.
Designed as a single-stop mobile cardiac emergency and diagnostic facility, the Heart Clinic on Wheels will take essential heart healthcare services directly to underserved populations across the UT’s remote and border districts. The mobile unit is equipped to conduct instant cardiac investigations including ECG, Holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and rapid blood tests such as lipid profile, enabling timely diagnosis and early intervention.
Pertinently, the initiative supports key Sustainable Development Goals, which include good-health and well-being besides helping in reducing inequalities, and aligns well with the Bank’s CSR focus areas.
