Srinagar, 27 Apr 27: In view of prevailing weather conditions in the valley, Health Department Kashmir on Saturday issued directions to execute them on an urgent basis.
As per a circular, all the hospitals that are in flood prone areas have been asked to activate emergency plans like shifting major medical equipment to higher floors, stocking additional medicines, consumables, supplies, fuel and mess requirements, so that they are able to function even in case of floods.
It has been directed to activate disaster management cells at district and block level and in all hospitals to cater any kind of medical emergency that may arise.
“Initiate measures required taking control of outbreaks, epidemics including enhanced surveillance and management to be coordinated by the District IDSP and strengthen the PHCs to improve the capacity of surveillance and control of epidemics,” it said.
It has directed to organize medical camps at the time of requirements and mobilizing the resources for the same at the District headquarters.
“Establish adequate number of district level mobile units with trained personnel, testing facilities, communication system and emergency treatment facilities,” the circular said.
The Health Department has directed to ensure the availability of survival/emergency kits during disaster situations including additional fuel, mess arrangements, etc.
“Arrangement of Rubber Boats with requisition of Live Jackets from SDRF Department to provide hassle free medical services during the floods,” it said.
It has also directed to stock sufficient medicines and life-saving drugs at district/sub-district/PHC and CHC level hospitals.
The department has suggested an emergency plan to be chalked out in case tertiary care hospitals are submerged by adjacent districts like Pulwama, Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam.
The concerned officers have been asked to ensure the availability of secondary power sources at all levels of health institutions. “Conduct IEC activities to sensitize the common masses about the disaster in case of floods and the consumption of boiled water,” it said.
It has been instructed to ensure that trained medical staff are in operation to attend all types of sick and injury cases, with creation of backup teams.
“They can create teams of specialists at district level, who can be deployed at short notice in the affected areas and will include additional surgical supplies and mobility support,” the circular said.
It has further directed for arrangement of treatment and transportation of injured to the hospital in coordination with emergency services, SDFR, Transport Department and other line departments. “In case of landslides in hilly areas, an action plan needs to be framed to tackle the medical emergency well in time,” it added.
The measures include steps for vaccination against Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Cholera, etc. and management of epidemics, if required.
The concerned officers have directed to conduct situational assessment and review the status of response mechanisms in the known vulnerable pockets and coordinate the identification of risk prone sites, to set up respective relief centers.
“Ensure dispatch of both personnel and medical supplies to areas requiring disaster relief measures, as per requirements only post assessment at the central level,” the circular said
It said that in the absence of transport facilities, adequate mapping plans to the nearest health units and local transport facilities need to be networked, including the requirements of water transport (Rubber Boats).
It also mentions tracking the locations of pregnant mothers through ANC registrations and those due for childbirth for transport to safer and adequately equipped comprehensive emergency obstetric care units with neonatal facilities.
In the backdrop of above, all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents & Block Medical Officers have been directed to ensure that the measures are implemented in a timely manner and also points discussed in Saturday’s meeting held under the chairmanship of Director Health Services Kashmir in case forecasted floods occur.
