SRINAGAR: Following an advisory by the Srinagar traffic police for hassle-free ambulance movement, the Health Department Kashmir has urged all Medical Superintendents in Kashmir to ensure coordination with traffic police when referring critical patients to health facilities.
In a circular issued by the DHS-K, it has asked to ensure priority clearance for ambulances during transit and to avoid unnecessary delays that could jeopardize patient care.
The DHS-K circular further stated that all the Medical Superintendents of Kashmir division should ensure pre-approval for critical cases, ensuring that approval has been obtained from the traffic department for priority clearance before referring any critical patient.
“Real-time Communication: Maintain open communication channels with the traffic department to provide updates on ambulance locations and expected arrival times. Alternative Routes: In case of traffic congestion, work with the traffic department to identify and utilise alternative routes for faster ambulance movement,” reads the circular.
It further asked for training and awareness, urging regular training sessions for ambulance drivers and staff on the importance of coordinating with the traffic department for efficient movement.
Earlier on Sunday, a directive from the Srinagar traffic police urged hospital administrations and healthcare centres across the Kashmir valley to liaise with the Traffic Police Control Room for unhindered patient transit within Srinagar’s municipal boundaries during medical emergencies.
The advisory stated that the drivers of the medical emergency vehicles carrying patients and the attendants should keep close liaison with the traffic control unit on the mentioned helpline numbers during the transit of the patient to the hospital for a hassle-free passage.
The numbers mentioned in the advisory are, 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396, toll-free no is 18001807091 and the special service no is 103.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) City Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, told KNO that the purpose of the advisory is to facilitate the smooth movement of ambulances carrying referral patients from different parts of Kashmir.
“Information regarding any ambulance carrying a referral patient from any periphery or healthcare centre of Kashmir to Srinagar should be communicated to the traffic police control room so that a smooth corridor can be made available for the medical emergency,” he said.
The senior police official said that to ensure hassle-free movement of ambulances, Srinagar traffic police authorities issued an advisory asking hospital administrations and other healthcare centres operating in Kashmir to communicate with the traffic police control room for smooth movement of patients within the municipal limits of Srinagar. (KNO)
