Over 2 lakh patients availed healthcare facilities during Amarnath Yatra 2024

Srinagar, Aug 19: With the culmination of the Amarnath Yatra, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) recorded over 2 lakh patients in the Out Patient Department (OPD) along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

“Through meticulous planning, skill-based targeted training and deployment of advanced medical facilities, the DHSK has also significantly reduced the mortality rate. This accomplishment underscores the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all yatris,” an official statement said.

Director of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Jehangir Bakshi took a review with Yatra Unit DHSK and was briefed about the summary, cumulative work done and significant milestones achieved.

He emphasised that under the guidance of the Secretary of Health and Medical Education Department, J&K, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah and overall support from J&K and central administration, DHSK played a significant role in providing efficient healthcare services to the yatris.

He also complimented the healthcare management and manpower deployed from outside and within J&K for providing healthcare services during the yatra period.

The patients seen by the health centres included yatris, service providers, personnel from other departments, and security personnel.

More than 17,000 people were recorded under short stay admissions which mainly availed supplemental oxygen therapy due to symptoms of high altitude disease along with basic daycare medical services.

Around 3807 patients were treated for injuries and 26,918 patients underwent various diagnostic tests which included lab tests, X-rays, ECGs, and USGs.

There has been a considerable decrease in cardiac events as the directorate has been augmenting the human resources, drugs and logistics with trained staff.

In addition to this, early intervention in managing patients of high altitude illness with timely admission at base camp hospitals equipped with oxygen manifold systems and all necessary advanced equipment and medication has contributed to the deliverance of effective healthcare.

In addition to it availability of mobile on-track pony ambulances, and visual screening at the entry gates from both routes, IEC efforts by the DHSK were put in place to ensure the safety of the yatris.

The DHSK had established 55 medical stations along the yatra route, comprising 6 Base Hospitals (BHs) which included 100-bedded hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari, Medical Aid Centres (MACs), and Emergency Aid Centres (EACs) to ensure comprehensive healthcare support.

Twenty-six strategically placed oxygen booths along the route ensured continuous access to supplemental oxygen for yatris, particularly at high-altitude locations.

All base hospitals - Baltal, Holy Cave, Lower Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag, and Chandanwari had been equipped with advanced ICU facilities.

In addition, advanced equipment like Automatic Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation Machines (CPRs), Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), ventilators, infusion pumps, beds, portable X-ray machines, and other essential medical equipment were operationalised.

Strategic placement of facilities such as liquid oxygen tanks, bulk oxygen cylinders, medium oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators at various base hospitals ensured adequate oxygen availability.

The bed strength along the yatra route had been significantly increased to 316 beds.

This expansion ensured that yatris had access to adequate medical care.

Thirteen dedicated ambulances, including critical care units, along with 25 standby ambulances ensured swift emergency response services throughout the yatra route.

All medical personnel deployed for the yatra were trained in high-altitude emergency medicine to proficiently manage altitude-related health issues and emergencies.

Telemedicine unit services were reinstated to facilitate remote medical consultation and support, leveraging technology to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

A total of 1415 staff members were deployed for yatra duties in three shifts including 173 specialists (cardiologists, respiratory physicians, physicians, orthopaedician, and general surgeons), 244 medical officers and 998 paramedical staff.

Of the total requirement, 754 staffers were deputed from the DHSK and 661 medical staffers were deputed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.