Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, June 20: With staff to be deployed in three shifts, the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK) has established over 50 medical stations, including six base hospitals, for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, which saw a footfall of over 5 lakh pilgrims last year.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Officials told Excelsior that as part of comprehensive and effective healthcare arrangements for the Yatra, over 1,400 personnel – including specialist doctors and Medical Officers – will be deployed in three shifts along the Baltal and Pahalgam axes.
The 172 specialist doctors being deployed on both routes include cardiologists, physicians, orthopedicians, general surgeons and anaesthetists.
Nearly 1,000 paramedics will also be on duty throughout the pilgrimage.
“Additional residential accommodation for staff deployed on Yatra duty has been created at various locations,” officials said.
Regarding healthcare infrastructure, 30 medical stations will be operational along the Baltal axis. These include four base hospitals – among them a 100-bed hospital at Baltal – in addition to 10 other medical facilities and 16 oxygen booths.
Along the Pahalgam axis, 25 medical stations will be set up, including two base hospitals – one of them a 100-bed facility at Chandanwari.
This axis, officials said, will also have 13 additional medical facilities and 10 oxygen booths.
Furthermore, 10 existing en route health facilities have been reactivated along the Baltal route and five along the Pahalgam route. Additionally, 17 other functioning hospitals on both routes have been placed on alert.
In terms of patient transport, 44 dedicated ambulances – including nine critical care ambulances – will be available and deployed.
“Other institutional ambulances have also been integrated into the route ambulance plan,” officials added.
They emphasized that all hospitals and health facilities along the Yatra routes have fully functional emergency response systems, with round-the-clock deployment of adequate medical staff.
“Oxygen manifolds at all base hospitals are fully operational to ensure continuous availability of oxygen for patients,” officials said.
As part of enhanced patient care, four telemedicine units – one each at Panjtarni, Baltal, Chandanwari, and Sheshnag – have been installed.
“These ISRO-supported units have been re-established, and the tele-networking systems at all base hospitals are fully functional. Additionally, video-conferencing links through the e-Sanjeevani platform have been set up,” the officials added.
This year, the Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, making it a 38-day pilgrimage.
It is worth noting that the Holy Cave-home to a naturally formed ice stalagmite worshipped as a Shiva Lingam, symbolizing Lord Shiva-is located at an altitude of approximately 3,888 meters (12,756 feet).
Due to the high altitude, pilgrims often experience symptoms such as fatigue and low oxygen levels, making robust healthcare arrangements essential.
Every year, detailed and meticulous preparations are made to ensure quality medical care for the pilgrims. Over time, the mortality rate among pilgrims due to medical emergencies has also declined significantly.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
