Author: Web Desk

TIMES LINK presents a ten-point agenda listed by Dr. Mohammad Sultan Khuroo, an internationally acclaimed medical scientist/practitioner, to make a fight to a finish against cancer. Population-based cancer registry Cancer incidence (occurrence per 100,000 populations per year) varies substantially from one country to another and from one region to another. There is also marked geo­graphical variation in cancer of one organ of the body to another. Thus, each country/region must know the total and organ-wise load of cancer and cancer impact on society. This can be accomplished by cancer registries. Cancer registration can either be a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) or a…

Ideal doctor–patient relationship consists of  six  Cs:  Choice, competence, communication, compassion, continuity, and (no) conflict of  interest” Sajjad Bazaz International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health has defined the doctor-patient relationship as “a consensual relationship in which the patient knowingly seeks the physician’s assistance and in which the physician knowingly accepts the person as a patient. Quoting Emanuel and Dubler, the Journal has suggested that the ideal doctor–patient relationship consists of the six C‟s: Choice, competence, communication, compassion, continuity, and (no) conflict of interest. If we slightly peep into the past, we find no questions were raised about this noble service. A…

A section of doctors in J&K behave as ‘holy entrepreneurs’ and capitalised on the Covid crisis to earn profits. Sajjad Bazaz Entrepreneurship is always an exciting business, especially in the best of times. But, it’s never without risks. The second year of the Covid-induced pandemic, was “the worst of times” that the countries across the globe collectively endured in recent memory. In the magnitude of crisis like the one we faced due to pandemic, most of the people avoid risk when we talk of entrepreneurship. However, there is always a special breed of individuals/entrepreneurs for whom challenges owing to “the…

‘Patients spend over Rs 9,000 crore annually as doctor or paramedic consultation fee’ Sajjad Bazaz Believe it or not! Indians spend nearly Rs 36,000 crore annually on over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for treatment of 27 ‘minor’ ailments. Interestingly, a large part of this expenditure goes towards consultation fees to doctors. This is the finding of a novel survey carried out by a Pharma body – the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), which was released a few years back. The survey revealed some interesting points. The healthcare professional-related (HCP) expenditure included Rs 11, 623 crore as medicine cost and…

Sajjad Bazaz A paraphrase of the Roman poet Virgil’s famous comment that “the greatest wealth is health” is the idea that our physical and mental well-being are arguably the most valuable assets of all. The adage is a constant reminder that thefinancial importance of physical and mental health – vital components of a happy life – are interconnected. There are studies on record that have shown that higher socio-economic status usually leads to improved health prospects. But, at the same time, the opposite is also true. If your health suffers, then so do your finances. In other words, at its…

From the Foothills of Himalayas to the Annals of Global Medicine: TIMES LINK EDITORIAL TEAM A critical and realistic account of the life of Dr. Mohammad Sultan Khuroo reveals a career defined by high-impact medical discoveries achieved under difficult circumstances, often in the face of institutional skepticism and political instability. The life of Dr. Khuroo is a remarkable narrative of scientific brilliance, ethical resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his homeland. Emerging from the small town of Sopore, Kashmir, he rose to become a globally recognised figure in medicine, credited with the discovery of a new virus and the revolutionising of the treatment…

The fundamental principle that physical and mental well-being represent our most valuable assets is currently undergoing a cynical transformation within Jammu and Kashmir. While higher socio-economic status typically correlates with better health prospects, the local reality has shifted toward a predatory “wealth is health” paradigm, where financial extraction is prioritized over patient recovery. This shift is characterized by a systemic erosion of trust, as the healthcare sector’s responsibility to provide care is increasingly overshadowed by treatment protocols designed to accumulate wealth at the expense of those suffering. The current state of affairs represents a “tsunami” for patients who find themselves…

Recognizing the signs, acting fast, and understanding treatment Dr Fayaz Shawl Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death across India — and Kashmir is no exception. People in the Kashmir Valley face a high burden of cardiovascular disease, with heart attacks striking at a younger age than in many other regions. Yet with the right knowledge and fast action, many of these deaths are preventable. Understanding what a heart attack is, how to spot it, and what to do can save a life — possibly your own, or that of someone you love. Why Are Kashmiris at…

Prof Upendra Kaul The nomenclature of the Kashmir Valley presents a fascinating paradox to the outsiders. Unlike many parts of South Asia, where a surname often acts as a definitive marker of religious identity, Kashmiri surnames frequently blur these lines. This shared identity is a testament to two distinct historical phenomena: the shared ancestral roots of the population and the deep linguistic influence of Persian and Arabic during centuries of administrative rule. The Common Ancestral Root: The Saraswat Heritage The primary reason for the overlap in surnames is that a vast majority of the Kashmiri population—both Pandits and Muslims—descends from…

In quashing the detention order of elected MLA Mehraj ud din Malik , the Court did not merely set aside an administrative action. it reaffirmed a nation’s faith in its legal system. Advocate Syed Shabir Bukhari Preventive detention laws like the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act are among the most stringent tools available to the State. They allow detention without trial, based on anticipated threats rather than proven guilt. While such laws may be necessary in exceptional situations, they sit uneasily with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. This tension between State power and individual liberty formed the heart of the case. The detention…