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India: Women doctor's team begins operating in Kashmir

A team of women doctor with women health attendants began operations in quake affected Baramulla and Uri districts on 15 April 2006. The earlier medical relief operations by ADEPT's team in the area had highlighted the need to address gynaecological problems that the conservative Islamic women are reluctant to discuss with male doctors. Therefore a team consisting of a women doctor and women health attendants was formed and began to undertake follow up medical camps in the regions that had been covered earlier by the male doctors. The team started operations in Balai relief camp which holds around 255 families from Gharkote, Chakla, Singtung, Isham, Gawala, and Dardkote. The team reports that there is a severe water scarcity in the camp with consequent problems of sanitation and hygiene. Most women suffer from vaginal fungal infections, and skin infections. Privacy of women in also a major issue in the camp. After treating the women and children in the camp, the women's team moved on to other villages in a fixed rota.
The men's team continues to operate in the Tangdar region - the highest reaches close to the Line of Control. As of 30 April 2006 ADEPT's medical teams have treated more than 27,000 patients in 72 villages covering a population of more than 150,000 in the districts of Baramulla, Uru, and Kuppwara.

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