Srinagar, July 17:
In the ongoing 62-day long Amarnath Yatra, more than 139,327 pilgrims have received medical treatment, ensuring their health and well-being, according to health officials. The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has been diligently maintaining records of the medical care provided at both the Baltal and Pahalgam sides.
Dr. Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, revealed that out of the total figure, 124,202 yatris were treated in the outpatient department (OPD), 803 in the inpatient department (IPD), and 14,317 were admitted for short stays. Additionally, 4,106 injured yatris received treatment at the base hospitals in Baltal and Pahalgam. The hospitals conducted 1,536 x-rays, 58 ECGs, and performed 7,360 lab tests. Furthermore, 117 yatris/patients were referred for specialized care, 88 yatris were treated with hapo bags, and 13 patients who suffered cardiac events were promptly treated.
Dr. Mushtaq emphasized the government’s commitment to providing a seamless yatra experience in terms of healthcare arrangements, ensuring that pilgrims do not face any difficulties along the route. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the holy cave and base camps to meet the needs of the pilgrims. A team of specialists, including physicians, cardiologists, respiratory physicians, orthopedics, and anesthetists from Jammu and Kashmir and other regions, are available at the base hospitals.
Although the annual Yatra takes place during peak summer, the unpredictable weather at high altitudes poses health risks due to plummeting temperatures. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Rather, Director of Health Services Kashmir, explained that emergencies related to high altitude, such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), can be fatal if not detected and managed promptly. To address such emergencies, six base hospitals have been established at Chandanwadi and Baltal sides.
The Director of Health Services Kashmir has personally visited every location of the yatra to ensure the provision of the best possible healthcare to the pilgrims. Daily evening review meetings are held at the Control Room of the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, located at the Old Secretariat in Srinagar. This Control Room oversees the yatra and monitors healthcare arrangements.
The health department in Kashmir has prioritized the conduct of the Amarnath Yatra, making concerted efforts to minimize casualties and ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. This year, a total of 55 medical stations have been set up by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir along the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Adequate emergency response systems, including round-the-clock manpower, have been put in place near transit routes. Tertiary care facilities, such as SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Bemina, and Government Medical Colleges, are prepared to handle any referral cases during the yatra period.
