Hospitals gear up staff, supplies in view of border situation

Srinagar, May 7: With situation flaring up on LoC, and a high number of casualties and injuries being reported from these areas, the healthcare system has been put on high alert to deal with injuries and prevent losses.

Hospitals have stocked supplies and augmented staff availability round the clock as per the directions of the Government.

J&K Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo while speaking to Greater Kashmir said that the healthcare department is an emergency services department that is always geared up for crises. “We have adequate staff in all our hospitals, the areas along LoC have especially more robust healthcare services. We had already deputed staff in full strength in Poonch, in Uri, Keran and all other areas that are under threat,” she said. She said the hospitals have also been equipped with essential medical supplies. The Minister said an emergency evacuation plan for patients requiring critical care and specialized treatment. “We have critical care ambulances to move injured to higher care centers in case a need arises,” minister said.

Speaking about the injured in Poonch, she said, “We received a number of people injured in shelling in Poonch and they are being treated at District Hospital Poonch,” she said. The Minister said the hospital had “full-fledged surgical and anaesthesia team, and the best possible care is being provided to them,” she said.

A health official in Poonch said nearly 40 people were being treated for various types of injuries at DH Poonch. “They are all civilians and have been injured overnight,” he said. The official said that the injured had splinter injuries mostly and many had to be operated upon. “Thankfully the hospital staff of DH Poonch lives nearby and all the human resources were immediately mobilized to address the emergency,” he said.

Meanwhile some of the hospitals in Kashmir were reported to be painting a cross sign over their roofs in view of the situation. Most of the hospitals in J&K had already given their roofs a plus sign in 2019 when cross-border tensions had escalated between India and Pakistan.

In Kashmir, the tertiary care hospitals carried out a drill for emergency preparedness and for dealing with casualties. An official in the health department said that ICUs were being prepared and beds were being designated for emergencies.