Govt committed to ensure robust healthcare system for Amarnath pilgrims: Secy Health

Srinagar, Apr 5: The Department of Health & Medical Education, Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, successfully conducted the National Review Meeting for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2025 at the Banquet Hall in Srinagar.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, senior officials, and experts to review past experiences, discuss preparedness, and enhance the coordination framework for medical services during the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, a statement issued said.
Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah (IAS), Secretary, Health & Medical Education (H&ME), J&K, who was the Chief Guest, delivered a keynote address highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring a robust healthcare system for pilgrims.
He emphasized the need for streamlining the process of issuance of Compulsory Health Certificates by the States and putting in efforts to ensure that the certificates that are issued are done after thoroughly accessing the health status of the intended pilgrim.
This measure will help in curbing the morbidity and mortality and save lives. He also appreciated the states for deputing specialists and medical officers for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra duties over the years and expressed hope that the states and the Government of India institutions depute the staff as per the requisitioned numbers for the forthcoming Yatra 2025.
He especially focused on the requirements of Cardiologists, Respiratory Physicians and Anesthetists. This was followed by the unveiling of the Yatra Booklet and the distribution of certificates of appreciation to States and MoHFW.
The States/MoHFW Institutions that participated included Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal.
Prominent national level institutions who participated included AIIMS (New Delhi, Raipur, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar Patna, Bhopal, Rishikesh),PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry as well as Banaras Hindu University Medical College, RML Hospital, LHMC, Safdergung Hospitals, New Delhi, and Aligarh Muslim University Medical College.
Additionally SKIMS Medical College and Government Medical Colleges of Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag participated in the meet.
The meeting featured a comprehensive overview of Emergency Medical Response (EMR) activities presented by Dr. L Swasticharan, Additional DDG & Director EMR, MoHFW, outlining emergency response strategies and best practices. Dr. Sujata Chaudhary, Additional Director General Health Services, MoHFW, further elaborated on national-level coordination efforts to enhance medical response mechanisms for SANJY. (KNO)