Amarnath Yatra: Innovative pony ambulances offer critical care to pilgrims

Srinagar, July 07: The innovative pony ambulances introduced by the health department Kashmir on the axis of Pahalgam and Baltal to provide critical care support to pilgrims during their journey during Amarnath Yatra have brought relief to pilgrims.
The pioneering effort demonstrates the health department’s dedication to providing quality healthcare services in challenging terrain. The new move has set a new standard for emergency response in remote areas, showcasing Kashmir’s healthcare innovation.
Spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq said the initiative has been appreciated by yatris and other concerned officers.
He said a pony ambulance, a horse-mounted emergency response system equipped with medical kits and oxygen cylinders, accompanies pilgrims along Baltal and Pahalgam axis.
Trained personnel handle the pony ambulance, who swiftly responds to health issues faced by yatris during the yatra. “Earlier, there used to be panic situations. This timely intervention has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality rates of pilgrims,” Mir said.
“Although the health department has made all the health care arrangements enroute the holy cake at both Baltal and Pahalgam routes, pony ambulances are an additional facility that remains with the yatris till they reach the cave and vice versa,” the spokesperson said.
Previously it would take time to shift patients from one facility to another and by this move patients are treated instantly and it has proved to be successful at the mountains.
“We can’t make health facilities everywhere so between two facilities this is the only option that is appropriate since the place is at high altitude and it has proved to be effective,” he said.
If there is any yatris who faces any issue, health staff immediately come to the rescue as the pony ambulances remain with yatra groups and it is helping to save lives.
As the yatra is held every year, the health department has identified and kept special and healthy horses to operate the pony ambulances. The department has also trained horse riders in Basic Life Support training so that they are able to manage critically ill patients.
There are nearly a dozen pony ambulances and these keep moving separately with the groups of yatris as they move towards the holy cave on both the routes.
Notably, the Health Department Kashmir has put in place state-of-the-art healthcare to handle emergencies for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
Notably, last year, 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine and the Amarnath shrine board officials are expecting numbers to go up this year as the yatra commenced on June 29 from Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag base camps.