Yatris enroute to cave shrine – File Photo: Abid Bhat
Srinagar- The health department will deploy around 1500 healthcare workers from Jammu and Kashmir and other states of the country for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra being held after a gap of three years.
The details about the deployment of healthcare workers for the annual pilgrimage were shared by Director Health Services, Kashmir in a meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi at Civil Secretariat here on Saturday, an official spokesperson said.
Giving a brief presentation about the health care arrangements for the ensuing pilgrimage, the Director, he said, informed that 70 medical centres will be set up, including 6 base hospitals, 11 medical aid centres, 12 emergency aid centres besides 26 oxygen booths and 15 onroute facilities.
“He further informed that 17 onroute facilities will be kept on alert to meet any exigency. The training and deployment of medical staff has been worked out as per the current requirements,” he said.
The Director, he said, gave a break up of staff for the Yatra and said that 739 staffers from the Union Territory, 155 from MoH&FW and 437 staff members from other states will offer their services to the pilgrims.
“The services of a total of around 1500 healthcare workers from J&K and other states shall be utilised to make the Yatra a success,” he added.
Earlier, the Principal Secretary, the spokesperson said, reviewed the health care arrangements, and directed the officers that it is one of the top priorities of the government to provide quality healthcare to the pilgrims coming for the Amarnath Yatra 2022.
Dwivedi, he said, emphasised upon the concerned officers to ensure coordinated heath care is made available to the yatris by Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Health Department, Security forces and various NGOs.
“Principal Secretary further asked the officers to examine the data from the previous years and ascertain the cause of deaths of pilgrims and put in a robust mechanism to lower the fatalities,” he said.
“He directed the officers to put in place all the arrangements before the commencement of Yatra including the issue of manpower, logistics and other high tech equipment in place. He directed the concerned to ensure availability of oxygen both portable and non portable at all the Health centres which are established along the route,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, Dwivedi also directed the Nodal Officer for the Yatra to immediately follow up the issue of establishing a 100 bedded hospital by the DRDO so that same can be made operational.
“The Human Resource for the hospitals needs to be also be arranged well within the needed time frame. The issue of availability of medicines and equipment was discussed and strict directions were issued that all the medicines should be made available to the pilgrims,” he added.
Meanwhile directions were also issued to streamline the registration of the Yatris by the District Administration.
The spokesperson said that in the meeting it was reiterated that the pilgrims should be facilitated at all levels for a seamless and hassle free Yatra.
While reviewing the medical contingency plan, he said, the Principal Secretary directed that emergency response system has to be quick and fool proof at all levels and necessary measures should be put in place in this regard.
“The deployment of Ambulances along the Yatra route was discussed threadbare and directions were issued for keeping the 102 and 108 Ambulance system in a phase of alertness during Yatra,” he added.
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