Health Secretary Reviews Arrangements For Shri Amarnathji Yatra

Health Secretary Reviews Arrangements For Shri Amarnathji Yatra

Kupwara, APRIL 24, 2024

 

Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of Health and Medical Education, chaired a crucial meeting today to assess the healthcare arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2024.

During the meeting, the Administrative Secretary directed officials to closely collaborate with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Health Department, and security forces to ensure coordinated healthcare services for the Yatris.

The Secretary emphasized finalizing all necessary arrangements before the Yatra begins, stressing the importance of having both portable and fixed oxygen supplies at all healthcare centers along the Yatra route. He instructed the Director of Health Services, Kashmir, to expedite the establishment of a 100-bedded hospital by ONGC and arrange the required human resources. Ensuring the availability of essential medicines and medical equipment for the pilgrims was also highlighted.

Furthermore, the Secretary underscored the importance of facilitating a seamless and hassle-free Yatra experience. He directed for requisite healthcare staff to be readily available at all healthcare institutions, especially on highways and critical points along the Yatra route. A quick and reliable emergency response system at all levels was deemed essential, with instructions to deploy ambulances along the Yatra route. Moreover the 102 and 108 Ambulance systems were to be kept on alert during the Yatra.

The Director of Health Services, Kashmir, provided an overview of the planned healthcare arrangements, detailing the setup of 55 medical centers, including 6 base hospitals with 100-bed capacity each at Baltal & Chandanwari, 11 medical aid centers, 12 emergency aid centers, 26 oxygen booths, and 15 on-route facilities. Seventeen on-route facilities would be kept on standby to address any emergencies. The deployment of a total of 1415 healthcare staff for the Yatra, including specialists, medical officers, and paramedics, was outlined, with 754 sourced locally and 661 requested from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

The Deputy Director of Health Services, Jammu, provided details of medical arrangements along Yatra routes from Lakhanpur to Banihal. Fifteen emergency rooms would be operational, with 53 health centers ready to provide medical care facilities to Yatris. More than 60 ambulances, including 20 ALS ambulances, would be utilized during the Yatra. Services of 15 doctors and 60 paramedics from Jammu Division would be placed at the disposal of Director Health Services, Kashmir, for Amarnath Yatra-2024. Medical teams would also be deployed at Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, and Yatri Niwas Chanderkote, Ramban, to provide 24x7 medical care facilities to Amarnath Yatris.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Health & Medical Education Department, Director Health Services Kashmir, Deputy Director Health Services, Jammu, Chief Engineer, R&B, South Kashmir, and Chief Medical Officers of J&K.