Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today reviewed the status of medicare facilities at different medical camps set up on Pahalgam route for the ensuing annual Shri Amarnath Yatra. The Minister visited SubDistrict Hospital, Seer Hamdan in Mattan block, Yatra Base Camp at Nunwan and Pahalgam Hospital and took stock of the facilities put in place for meeting the huge rush of pilgrims during the entire period of yatra. He obtained details regarding the availability of medicines, equipments, oxygen cylinders and other things made available particularly at main Yatra camps Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Holy Cave and other identified locations enroute to meet the requirements as per the rush of pilgrims. The Minister expressed satisfaction on the arrangements made by the department to facilitate the yatra and called for a well-knit and coordinated approach with the administration, SASB authorities, NGOs and other volunteers and service providers, especially those supplementing the medical services during the yatra for achieving the tangible results. He directed the Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag to personally supervise the activities on ground and fulfill the requirements wherever needed. He directed for ensuring adequate stock of essential drugs, oxygen cylinders/ portable oxygen cylinders at vulnerable areas to handle the emergencies. He also directed for making optimum utilization of available manpower by deploying them as per the quantum of work. During the inspection of Nunwan Base Camp and Pahalgam Hospital, the Minister directed the Chief Medical Officer to deploy additional manpower and buffer stock of medicines and other diagnostic facilities in view of the crowd and prolonged stay of pilgrims and tourists. He suggested drawing up a contingent plan to meet day-to-day requirements during the entire yatra period. Giving details about the facilities made available on this traditional Yatra route, the Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag, Dr. Fazil Ali informed the Minister that right from Banihal to Holy Cave, as many as 21 Medical Camps, including three main base camps at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni have been set up to facilitate the pilgrims. He further informed that adequate stock of medicines, oxygen cylinders/ portable cylinders with appropriate number of doctors and paramedics have been made available in the camps to meet any kind of situation. The department has taken all preventive measures to deal with any exigency taking into account the previous years’ experience. He said the main feeding hospital Pahalgam is also fully equipped with diagnostic facilities with adequate manpower to meet the anticipated requirements.
