Srinagar, June 25 (KNS): Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather today said all arrangements have been finalized for the Amarnath Yatra while health facilities have been upgraded this year besides the routine facilities which used to be available en route the Yatra.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Dr MA Rather said all the arrangements have been made at both Chandanwadi and Balthal side and the healyth care facilities have been upgraded this year for yatris.

He said that they have kept 70 health facilities ready from Jawahar Tunnel to the holy cave on both routes including Chandanwari and Baltal, which includes six base hospitals, 11 Medical Aid Centres (MACs0, 12 Emergency Aid Centres (EACs) and 26 oxygen booths.

“In addition to that there are 11 on-route facilities, 17 other facilities which have been kept alert and more than 100 critical and basic care ambulances are available at both the routes. The oxygen booths have been increase from 14 to 26,” he said.

The director said all the hospitals in the vicinity will have emergency response system in place and have been equipped with all facilities to work round the clock and adequate staff.

He said that on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the directorate has established two dedicated 70-bedded DRDO hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari and on-route have been put in place.

“We have medical facilities available in less than every two kilometers with movable oxygen booths and movable emergency system been kept available, besides mobile booths to tackle any emergent situation,” Dr MA Rather said.

He further said that they have kept ICU beds and oxygen available on both sides and at least 1500 staff members are being deployed there to work in three shifts with additional residential accommodations for them at all levels. “Isolation facilities have also been kept available everywhere,” he said.

The director said doctors and paramedics within and outside the UT will be put into service for the yatra. Additionally, 24/7 control room has been established by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir. He said that the DHSK has trained 300 doctors and paramedical staff at the Regional Institute of Health &Family Welfare (RIHFW), Dhobiwan under 'Training of Trainers’ program in High Altitude.

While requesting Yatris to keep warm clothes with them he said that they are very particular about Covid-related issues and decision in this regard will be taken in consultation with the higher-ups,” he said.

During the press conference, the Director was flanked by Yatra Officer DHSK Dr Arshid Rafi, spokesperson DHSK Dr Mir Mushtaq, a group of doctors from outside including Dr Arti from Maharashtra, Dr Sujay from Banglore, Dr Piyush Khane and Dr Naveen from Tamilnadu.

The doctors group from outside appealed the intending Yatris, from different states, in their local language to follow Yatra protocol and follow basic rules and the health care.

Dr Arti spoke in Marathi, Dr Sujay in Kanada, Dr Piyush Khane in Punjabi and Dr Naveen in Tamil.(KNS)