Srinagar, April 10: Like in other parts of the country, the Covid-19 mock drill was today held across hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir for an emergency response to ensure medical equipment and other infrastructure are functioning properly.
Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Bhupinder Kumar along with Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather visited JLNM hospital Rainawari where they headed the mock exercise.
Kumar visited all sections of the hospital and took stock of the facilities available there besides that he checked the preparedness of the hospital in case of a further surge of Covid-19.
The Administrative Secretary took first-hand appraisal of all the Covid-19 facilities, oxygen availability, oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources. He stressed that the mock drill was aimed to ensure the operational readiness of the Covid-dedicated facilities.
The Administrative Secretary said the department is fully prepared to tackle any eventuality in case of surge in Covid-19 cases. “If Covid-19 appropriate behaviour is followed by the people then there won’t be much increase in cases,” he said.
Kumar said precautions are needed to be taken at all levels and people should maintain the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Earlier, the Secretary had directed all the heads of the institutions to be in the ready mode and check medical equipment and other infrastructure were functioning properly.
The mock drill was held to ensure the operational readiness of the Covid-dedicated facilities, with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources, he said,
Mock drills are aimed to check the gaps and fill them if found anywhere and department is super ready to tackle any situation, he said.
“The concerned officials and officers have been asked to remain alert and continue the testing of suspected cases in all the hospitals,” Kumar said.
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had advised all the states and Union Territories to effectively implement a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and vaccinate to check the spread.
The ministry had also asked the states to ensure the availability of required drugs and logistics for Influenza and Covid-19 across health facilities. Apart from this, states have been asked to ensure the availability of sufficient designated beds and health workers.
Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir started surging on April 02 when J&K reported 19 fresh Covid-19 cases. Currently, J&K has a total of 226 active positive cases including 268 from Kashmir division and 158 from Jammu division.
