SRINAGAR: Health authorities in south kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday conducted an audit, inspection and physical verification of 108 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances deployed in the district to assess their operational preparedness and availability for emergency medical services.
The inspection was carried out by Chief Medical Officer Kulgam Dr Shawkat Hussain Parray on the directions of the Director Health Services Kashmir, along with a designated team from the CMO’s office. District Head, JKEMS, Tasaduq Sofi, and a biomedical engineer also participated in the exercise.
The team physically verified the equipment, medicines, emergency drugs, consumables and other essential supplies available in the ambulances. It also checked the working condition of critical life-support equipment, including ventilators, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, oxygen cylinders and delivery systems, suction apparatus and Ambu bags.
Airway-management equipment, blood pressure apparatus, pulse oximeters, emergency and resuscitation kits, stretchers, wheelchairs and trauma-care equipment were also inspected. The verification covered immobilisation devices, cervical collars, splints, intravenous sets and cannulas, dressing material and other essential items.
Essential emergency medicines, injections, intravenous fluids, first-aid material and medical consumables required for pre-hospital emergency care were also physically checked.
The inspection further covered cleanliness, hygiene, maintenance, safety arrangements and the overall functionality and operational readiness of the ambulances. Officials also examined records relating to the availability, consumption and replenishment of medicines and consumables.
During the inspection, Dr Parray directed ambulance personnel to ensure that all 108 ALS ambulances remain fully functional, adequately equipped and available round the clock to respond to medical emergencies.
The concerned staff were instructed to immediately report shortages, equipment malfunctions and requirements for replacement or replenishment.
The CMO stressed the importance of timely ambulance response and functional life-support equipment in emergency healthcare delivery and directed the concerned personnel to maintain prescribed standards and comply with directions issued by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.
