MD NHM reviews winter preparedness across health institutions

Srinagar, Oct 29: Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) J&K, Athar Aamir Shafi-ul-Khan, Thursday chaired a review meeting at the State Health Society Office in the Old Secretariat, Srinagar, to assess and strengthen winter preparedness across healthcare institutions in the region.
The meeting was attended both in person and via virtual mode by the Director Health Services Jammu/Kashmir, Chief Medical Officers, NHM Programme Managers, and other senior health officials.
Conducting an exhaustive district-wise review, the Mission Director placed core emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted medical services during the challenging winter months. He evaluated the availability of essential medicines, proper heating arrangements, and reliable power backup systems across all healthcare facilities to ensure patient comfort and operational continuity. Reviewing grassroots medical staffing, he stressed the adequate deployment of manpower and field-level workers, particularly ASHA workers and ANMs, while also directing enhanced preparations and resource allocation for the effective management of seasonal respiratory diseases.
A major focus of the deliberations was maternal and child healthcare safety in remote and snow-bound terrain. The Mission Director directed officials to maintain a precise line listing of all pregnant women, proactively identify high-risk pregnancies or any patients requiring specialized medical intervention, and ensure their proper tracking and mobilization for respectful institutional delivery. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach toward avoidable tragedies, he strongly reiterated that the administration must ensure zero maternal and infant deaths alongside absolute prevention of home deliveries.
To tackle logistical challenges during heavy snowfalls, the meeting finalized a robust deployment plan for 108 Ambulance services, with a specific priority on stationing 4×4 ambulances in difficult and snowbound areas.
Officials were instructed to maintain close liaison with the Mechanical Engineering Department, Police, and other stakeholder agencies for immediate snow clearance and unhindered emergency transit routes.
Concluding the meeting, the Mission Director directed all Chief Medical Officers to conduct rigorous and regular field visits to proactively identify and bridge any operational gaps ahead of the peak winter season.