SRINAGAR: The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has established a 24×7 control room at its headquarters in Bemina, Srinagar to handle any eventualities caused by the recent snowfall.
According to a circular issued by the DHSK, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Medical Superintendents (MSs) of all hospitals have been instructed to mobilise all resources to manage patients locally and avoid unnecessary referrals.
“In view of snowfall in Kashmir Division, all the Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, and Block Medical Officers are hereby directed to mobilise and gear up all resources, including the availability of doctors, paramedics, sufficient quantities of drugs, a ready fleet of ambulances, power backup, and heating arrangements in all healthcare institutions across the valley. This ensures that patients are managed at their respective healthcare facilities, avoiding referrals to tertiary care hospitals, especially when roads remain cut off due to snow,” the circular reads.
The circular also instructed district and block-level authorities to activate 24×7 control rooms to deal with any emergencies. It emphasised the need to ensure the availability of doctors and paramedical staff, as well as adequate stocks of essential drugs at all times.
The DHSK also issued directives for hard-to-reach and cut-off areas during snowfall, stressing strict compliance with existing instructions.
“Additionally, measures should be taken to provide adequate heating arrangements for patients and staff. Doors and windows of all government healthcare facilities must be covered to minimise heat loss,” the circular further states.
The names and contact numbers of officers available at the control room are as follows:
Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Sheerwani (Divisional Nodal Officer – Winter Preparedness): 9419014157
Dr B S Tula: 9906919864
Shahzada Sajid Amin: 7006223134
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani: 7780984429
Aijaz Rasool Bhat: 9906472771 (KNO)
