Amarnath Yatra: 100-bedded hospitals, ambulances to provide 24x7 medical care to devotees

Jammu: To provide round-the-clock medical care facilities to the Amarnath Yatries undertaking the annual pilgrimage, 100-bedded hospitals, medical centers, ambulances, over 2000 health care staff, medical teams at lodgment centers will aid the pilgrims from Lakhanpur upto twin tracks towards the shrine.
The 52-day-long yatra to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence from June 29 and conclude on August 19. The annual yatra takes place from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
In Kashmir division, the health department will be setting up a total of 55 medical centers, including six base hospitals with 100 bedded hospital each at Baltal and Chandanwari, 11 medical aid centers, 12 emergency aid centers, 26 oxygen booths, and 15 on-route facilities. 17 on-route facilities will be kept on standby to address any emergencies. The department has planned to deploy a total of 1415 healthcare staff for the Yatra, including 173 specialists, 244 medical officers, and 998 paramedics. Out of these, 754 will be sourced from J&K, and 661 will be requested from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The Deputy Director Health Services, Jammu (Nodal Officer for AmarnathYatra Jammu Division) provided the details of medical arrangement on Yatra routes from Lakhanpur to Banihal.
Meanwhile in Jammu 15 emergency rooms will be made operational to tackle any emergency during the Yatra, 53 health centres will be ready for providing medical care facilities to Yatries from Lakhanpur to Lamber ground Banihal. More than 60 ambulances including 20 ALS ambulances shall be utilized during Yatra. Apart from this, the services of 15 Doctors and 60 Paramedics of Jammu Division will be placed at the disposal of Director Health Services, Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra-2024. The medical teams will also be deployed at Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu and Yayri Niwas Chanderkote, Ramban to provide 24x7 medical care facilities to Amarnath Yatries.
Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah reviewing healthcare arrangements being put in place for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra on Wednesdays highlighted the importance of having both portable and fixed oxygen supplies at all health centers established along the Yatra route. Further, he instructed Director Health Services, Kashmir, to expedite establishment of a 100-bedded hospital by ONGC and arrange the required human resources for the hospital.
Administrative Secretary directed the officials to collaborate closely with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Health Department and security forces to ensure coordinated healthcare services for the Yatris.
The Secretary emphasized the importance of facilitating a seamless and hassle-free Yatra experience for the pilgrims. He directed for ensuring that requisite healthcare staff should be readily available at all healthcare institutions, especially on highways and critical points along the Yatra route. He called for implementation of a quick and reliable emergency response system at all levels and instructed the officials to ensure deployment of ambulances along the Yatra route. He asked for keeping the 102 and 108 Ambulance systems on alert during the Yatra.

Updated On 4/25/2024 4:13:46 AM

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