Ang: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, Tuesday chaired a high level meeting at Pahalgam here to review the healthcare arrangements for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra.
MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo); Managing Director JKMSCL, Director Health Services Kashmir, Director Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Director AYUSH J&K, Principal GMC, Anantnag, Additional Deputy Commissioner (B) Anantnag, District Programme Officer POSHAN Anantnag, Chief Executive Officer PDA, Superintending Engineer R&B Circle Anantnag along with concerned Executive Engineers, Superintending Engineer Jal Shakti (Hydraulic) Circle Anantnag along with concerned Executive Engineers and other concerned officers attended the meeting. During the meeting, the Minister focused on the provision of quality and accessible health facilities for the Yatris.
Addressing the officers, the Health Minister underlined that Amarnath Yatra is not only a significant spiritual event but also a high-altitude pilgrimage that requires meticulous planning in terms of healthcare delivery. She underscored the need for coordinated efforts to ensure deployment of sufficient medical personnel, timely operationalization of base hospitals, establishment of emergency response units and availability of ambulances along all vital points of the Yatra route.
The Minister stressed upon the health department to ensure that all identified health facilities like base hospitals at Pahalgam and Chandanwari are fully functional well ahead of commencement of the Yatra. She stressed on the need for round-the-clock services, availability of essential medicines, oxygen support systems, mobile medical units and rapid response teams to meet any medical exigencies.
The Minister also instructed the concerned departments to conduct mock drills and capacity-building sessions for medical and paramedical staff to handle altitude sickness, trauma care and emergency evacuations efficiently. She called for close coordination between the Health Department, Disaster Management Authority, SDRF, and other allied agencies to ensure real-time response and effective management during the Yatra.
The Minister further emphasized on the importance of public awareness regarding health advisories as well as do’s and don’ts during the Yatra.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards providing state-of-the-art healthcare support during the Yatra.
During the meeting, the Minister was briefed about the current status of preparations, including infrastructural upgrades, provisioning of equipment and deployment of human resources at designated health facilities.
Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag, presented a detailed action plan outlining the deployment of specialist doctors, paramedics, critical care units and diagnostic support across all medical camps. He also informed the meeting about the establishment of control rooms and referral linkages with tertiary care hospitals in case of emergencies.
Later, the Health Minister visited Chandanwari Base Camp Hospital and took stock of its functioning.
During the visit, she inspected different sections of the hospital and took first hand appraisal of the services available for the devotees. She interacted with medical officers, paramedical staff and support teams deployed at the camp, reviewing their readiness to cater to the influx of pilgrims expected during the yatra season. She emphasized on the critical need for timely medical intervention, availability of emergency equipment and round-the-clock services at the high-altitude facility. She also directed the concerned departments to ensure cleanliness, hygiene and proper waste disposal mechanisms around the hospital premises.
Meanwhile, Sakeena Itoo also interacted with several tourists at picturesque Betaab Valley.
During the interaction, the Minister spoke about rich cultural heritage, breath-taking natural beauty and enduring spirit of Kashmiri hospitality that continues to attract travellers to the region. She appealed the tourists to promote the Kashmir valley as a safe and peaceful destination and take a message of positivity from here to their respective places.
The tourists appreciated the approachable demeanour of the Minister and expressed admiration for the local culture, serene landscapes and the warmth of the people.
