Srinagar, Dec 28: In response to the recent heavy snowfall, the Health Department of Kashmir has activated all necessary resources to ensure seamless patient care across the region’s hospitals. On Friday night, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, along with Director Health Services Dr. Jehangir Bakshi and DC Srinagar Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, visited SMHS and LD Hospital to assess patient care facilities and found the healthcare system functioning optimally amid snowfall.
In response to the snowfall, the Health Department issued a circular directing Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, and Block Medical Officers to mobilize all resources, including doctors, paramedics, and adequate drug supplies. They were also instructed to ensure ambulance fleets, power backups, and heating arrangements were in place at all healthcare facilities across the valley.
Officials noted that these measures aim to manage patient care locally and reduce the need for referrals to tertiary care hospitals, particularly when roads are cut off due to snow. The circular also instructed the activation of 24/7 control rooms at district and block levels, with a focus on ensuring the availability of essential drugs, and maintaining round-the-clock presence of medical staff.
“Instructions for hard-to-reach or cut-off areas, especially during snowfall, have already been issued and must be implemented in letter and spirit, with daily compliance reports submitted to this Directorate,” the circular stated.
Additionally, the officers were directed to provide adequate heating arrangements for both patients and staff and ensure that doors and windows in government health facilities were covered to prevent heat loss.
A 24/7 Control Room was established at the Directorate of Health Services in Bemina, Srinagar, with Dr. Muzaffar Hussain Sheerwani, Divisional Nodal Officer for winter preparations, designated as its nodal officer.
On Saturday, a team of senior doctors from the Health Department conducted an inspection of health facilities in several districts to evaluate their preparedness and service delivery amid the winter conditions. An official who was part of the team stated that they assessed key parameters such as the availability of essential medicines, functional heating systems, ambulance readiness, and the capacity of health centers to handle emergencies, particularly in remote areas.
An official spokesman said that around 24,000 people were attended to in Outpatient Departments (OPDs) on Saturday across Kashmir Division.
The Director Health Service Kashmir monitored and supervised various peripheral hospitals to take stock of health care services and was in continuous touch with all district health care administrators who too were monitoring the health care centres falling under their administrative control.
The spokesman said despite adverse weather conditions, healthcare facilities across the division provided seamless services. Over 23,782 patients were attended to in Outpatient Departments (OPDs), while 1,019 admissions were recorded.
In terms of surgeries, 40 major and 313 minor procedures were successfully conducted. Maternal health services also remained uninterrupted, with 37 normal deliveries and 39 lower-segment caesarean sections (LSCS) performed.
Critical healthcare services such as dialysis sessions and diagnostic tests continued unaffected. 14,541 laboratory tests were conducted and imaging services like USG (852), X-ray (1,322), ECG (1,105), and CT scans (53) were conducted efficiently.
“Furthermore, 62 patients requiring advanced care were referred to higher centers. These figures highlight the department’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare across the Kashmir division,” the spokesman said.
The Directorate also emphasized the successful management of critical cases despite the harsh weather. In District Baramulla, five cases of myocardial infarction (MI) were reported during the nights of December 27 and 28. Medical teams quickly diagnosed and treated the patients, referring them to higher centers for advanced care.
In District Kulgam, a team from DH Pora rescued an 8-month-pregnant woman stranded due to snow-blocked roads in Dangerpora Chimmer, Khull. Under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer of Kulgam, the team used a 4×4 Scorpio ambulance equipped for snow-covered terrain to transport the patient to Sub-District Hospital DH Pora. The swift response ensured that the woman received critical care in a timely manner.
The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir commended the efforts of healthcare administrators and workers across the division and reiterated the importance of ensuring operational readiness at all levels.
