Rohit Goja
Srinagar June 18: The government has said that it has developed a robust mechanism in terms of deployment of additional manpower, advanced machinery and drug consumables etc to ensure round the clock healthcare access to the tourists and local populace during the yatra period.
An official from the ministry informed that “The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has developed a robust mechanism in terms of deployment of additional manpower, facilitation of advanced machinery, equipment, drug consumables etc to ensure round the clock healthcare access to the tourists and local populace during the yatra period.”
“While as, Primary Health Centre (PHC) Sonamarg which is a 10-bedded facility with minor OT, general ward, labour room, lab section etc. is an En-route health facility to Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) which also caters to the healthcare requirements of general masses,” the official said.
It also said that Sonamarg is a major tourist destination and the base camp for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is Batal.
“PHC Sonamarg does not meet the criteria for full-scale upgradation as per IPHS-2022 norms. However, its capacity is enhanced during peak periods through temporary reinforcement of manpower and infrastructure to manage the surge in demand,” the official said.
Pertinently, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha recently reviewed the arrangements in place for medical and healthcare at the Baltal Base Camp Hospital.
He interacted with the officials and directed them to ensure the availability of adequate numbers of doctors, paramedical staff and healthcare professionals, medical equipment, medicines, oxygen cylinders and round the clock healthcare service for the well-being of the pilgrims.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in an announcement earlier had said that the annual pilgrimage Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will start on July 3 and conclude on August 9 respectively.
