Srinagar, June 27: To ensure adequate health facilities for the Amarnath Pilgrims, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar has put in place state-of-art-facilities including ventilators, critical care ICUs for ShriAmarnathJiYatra to implement best health facilities ahead of the yatra that will commence on June 29.
In this regard, Director SKIMS Prof. (Dr.) M Ashraf Ganie today reviewed the arrangements and preparedness ahead of the annual yatra as the institute is a designated tertiary care hospital for pilgrims who may need special medical intervention.
The director took a review of the arrangements during a meeting and expressed satisfaction with arrangements and stressed that yatris should be taken care of as they will become brand ambassadors of SKIMS to enhance its reputation as a prestigious medical institution.
He directed all the concerned officials that SKIMS must formulate SOPs for these patients which will be beneficial for pilgrims with medical comorbidities during this year.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS informed in detail that an 18 bedded disaster ward has been reserved for these patients and all other facilities required have been augmented.
He said Control Room SKIMS will work in close coordination with Deputy CEO ShriAmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB) to facilitate management of these patients.
A spokesperson of SKIMS said the control room will be supervised by Medical Superintendent SKIMS and Administrative Incharge Emergency Medicine SKIMS.
The state-of-art-facilities include dedicated ventilators in Neuro, Pulmonary and critical care ICUs, all medicines, critical care ambulance, dedicated Yatri attendants for their facilitation, helipad services at SKIMS and critical care transport to & from Nehru Helipad.
The separate team of resident doctors will remain available in Emergency Medicine to receive these patients for first hand treatment. The area is well equipped and staffed.
The spokesperson said in case of any emergency 40-50 bedded infectious disease block (IDB) equipped with all facilities has been kept ready and will be made operational immediately in case any need arises.
The in-charge IT SKIMS informed that SKIMS has a robust telemedicine facility which will function 24×7 and SKIMS experts from various specialties will remain on call for any assistance to Yatra patients.
The meeting was attended by Medical Superintendent, HOD Anaesthesiology, HOD General Medicine, HOD Hospital Administration, HOD Emergency Medicine, HOD Critical Care, Faculty of General Surgery & Hospital Administration, Incharge Pharmacy, Incharge Nursing, Incharge IT, Incharge D&T &incharges of other supportive service sections.
