The healthcare facilities set up by Jammu and Kashmir Health Department for annual AmarnathYatra saw a major boost in the previous year at both Baltal and Pahalgam which have also limited the casualties.
Over the years, the number of pilgrims increased so have the requirements of medical facilities, particularly since 2010. In 2023, DHSK recorded a staggering 2.5 lakh patient visits to healthcare facilities during the pilgrimage. During the earlier years, the medical facilities provided by the Department were basic in nature.
Due to active efforts of the Government, the Yatra began to be regularized to cater to the rush of pilgrims and the department upgraded its facilities to live up to requirements of pilgrims.
Official said the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir prioritized the conduct of the Yatra. A concerted effort was made to make all efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated during previous years.
As per the figures, in 2023, 255,564 yatris were seen in the OPDs of the health facilities while 1,291 patients were admitted. The figures said 29319 medical investigations, were conducted throughout the Yatra, held for 60 days from July to August end.
The health department had established 55 medical facilities which included six base hospitals, 11 medical aid centres, 12 emergency aid centres, and 26 oxygen booths. It only this year that 15 more health facilities were upgraded on routine sites.
Spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq said this year the healthcare arrangements were more elaborate to limit the number of causalities.
“It is a good thing that the causalities have come down. Specialist doctors were put in service, more oxygen and emergency medical facilities were extended at each and every centre. Last year, unfortunately, there was also a cloudburst incident which had claimed some lives. However, this year it was an incident-free yatra and deaths came down,” he said.
Mir said in coming years they are going to add more facilities and are adding several interventions to further ensure that there are zero causalities during the annual yatra.
It was in 2023, the health department Kashmir introduced horse ambulances, a unique idea to provide accessible health care to yatris. The pony ambulance was an innovative method to handle critical yatris/patients at both sides.
Officials said they can’t make health facilities everywhere so between two facilities this was the only appropriate option since the place is at high altitude.
“In the future, we want to upgrade it further and we will train the horse riders in Basic Life Support (BLS) training so that they are also able to manage the critically ill patients,” he said.
Each year, two 100 bedded DRDO hospitals are established at both Chandanwadi and Balthal sides that have all facilities available for the pilgrims.
“Earlier, causalities were reported due to cardiac events. However, over the years, we took several measures like posting of cardiologists and making available intensive care units at Baltal and Chandanwadi and other critical care facilities at base hospitals,” he said.
Official said that Oxygen Manifold Systems, ventilators, and Critical Care facilities were made available at all Base Hospitals, resulting in improved patient management.
Importantly, the capacity of all Base Hospitals has increased, with 140 beds added at Base Hospital Baltal and Chandanwari by DRDO. This means that a total of 316 clinical beds were established at High Altitude sites.
In addition to the increased bed capacity, officials informed that 500 residential beds were also established, including 27 prefabricated insulated structures and 7 other semi-permanent structures, each with a capacity of 16 beds.
Operating an ICU at such a location was a daunting challenge for doctors. However, the DRDO hospitals provided essential support with piped oxygen and liquid oxygen facilities.
On the other side the government has been taking several measures to further push the healthcare facilities for the yatra. The good news is that the Government plans to construct a 100-bedded state-of-the-art hospital at Baltal in Ganderbal district.
In January this year, a site inspection was conducted under a high level team of officers for the proposed hospital near the sacred cave of Amarnath to serve pilgrims during the yatra. They had then inspected the sites required for the proposed hospital.
Officials said the inspection will pave the way for a comprehensive healthcare infrastructure adding they are committed to ensure the safety and well-being of all pilgrims.
Notably, in Dec, 2023, the National Level Review and Planning Meeting on the Yatra was held in Srinagar and was then chaired by AtulGoel, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aimed at deliberating on modalities for the seamless conduct of the yatra. The meeting was then attended by top officials including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Secretary H&ME Department and others.
