Srinagar: The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has been ordered by the J & K Government to make arrangements for delivering patient services in a hassle-free manner through the winter months.
While most hospitals in Kashmir are yet to start their heating systems on despite minimum temperature falling to zero in most districts of the division, the Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Farooq Ahmed Khan convened a meeting in winter preparedness. Post the meeting, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir issued instructions to Chief Medical Officers, Block Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents under it to make necessary arrangements for “smooth and hassle free” functioning of healthcare institutions during winters.
The arrangements that the officials have been directed to ensure and check include “proper heating arrangement”, availability of essential drugs, ambulances, ensuring attendance of doctors and paramedical staff and setting up of control rooms. The control rooms will be managed by nodal officers, as per the instructions and the cell phone numbers of these officers will be shared with the public through notifications. In addition, a situational report on the various parameters decided by the officials will also be shared.
These parameters include road connectivity to the hospital in case of incumbent weather, availability of LPG for heating purposes, availability of petrol and diesel for generators, availability of generators, ambulances and their pliability, oxygen cylinder stock and others. The hospitals will also require to detail out the number of referrals they make and the cause for referrals. The number of trauma, accident and other injuries will also need to be updated in the prescribed Performa to the directorate.
Greater Kashmir had on Saturday carried a story on the lack of heating arrangements in hospitals of Kashmir amidst temperature drop and the resulting distress to patients.