SRINAGAR, OCT 29: With winter approaching, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Jammu and Kashmir, Athar Aamir Shafi-ul-Khan, on Thursday directed health authorities across the Union Territory to strengthen preparedness at all healthcare institutions, ensuring uninterrupted medical services, adequate supplies and prompt emergency response even in areas vulnerable to heavy snowfall and road closures.
The directions were issued during a comprehensive review meeting held at the State Health Society Office in the Old Secretariat, Srinagar, where the Mission Director assessed district-wise preparedness and reviewed the availability of essential medicines, healthcare personnel, emergency transportation, diagnostic facilities, vaccination services, heating arrangements and power backup systems.
The meeting was attended by the Directors of Health Services, Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), NHM programme managers and other senior health officials through physical and virtual participation.
Stressing that winter preparedness must be completed well in advance, Athar Aamir called upon district health authorities to ensure that hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and other healthcare institutions remain operational and adequately equipped to meet the medical needs of the public during adverse weather conditions.
He emphasised that people living in remote, high-altitude and snowbound areas require particular attention, as heavy snowfall and disrupted road connectivity can significantly delay access to medical facilities.
Reviewing the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies, the Mission Director directed officers to maintain sufficient stocks at healthcare institutions and prevent shortages that could affect patient treatment during the winter season.
He also stressed the need for appropriate deployment of doctors, paramedical staff and other healthcare personnel, ensuring that medical facilities remain capable of handling routine consultations, emergencies and seasonal illnesses.
The preparedness of frontline health workers, including ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), was also reviewed. Their role in reaching vulnerable households, monitoring patients and maintaining contact with pregnant women and other high-risk individuals was highlighted as particularly important during periods of restricted mobility.
Athar Aamir further directed officials to ensure adequate heating arrangements and dependable power backup in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. He emphasised that essential hospital services must not suffer because of preventable infrastructure or operational shortcomings.
The meeting also focused on preparations to manage seasonal respiratory illnesses and the anticipated increase in patient numbers during the colder months.
Safeguarding pregnant women, newborns and children was identified as a critical component of the winter preparedness plan.
The Mission Director directed district health authorities to maintain updated line lists of pregnant women and ensure regular monitoring and follow-up, with particular attention to high-risk pregnancies and cases requiring specialised medical intervention.
He stressed that vulnerable cases must be identified well in advance and that arrangements for timely referral and transportation should be made before weather conditions deteriorate.
Reiterating the importance of institutional deliveries, he directed officers to ensure that pregnant women can access safe and timely delivery services at appropriate healthcare facilities, even when severe weather affects normal transportation.
He emphasised the goal of zero preventable maternal and infant deaths and called for coordinated efforts to eliminate avoidable home deliveries, particularly in remote areas likely to experience prolonged snowfall or road closures.
Effective coordination among medical officers, frontline health workers and district authorities, he said, would be essential to ensuring that no pregnant woman or newborn is deprived of timely medical assistance.
Recognising the transportation challenges associated with winter weather, the Mission Director reviewed the functioning of 102 and 108 ambulance services and directed officials to ensure their effective availability throughout the Union Territory.
He stressed the need to prioritise the deployment of 4×4 ambulances in remote, difficult and snowbound locations to facilitate the movement of emergency patients when ordinary vehicles face difficulties navigating snow-covered roads.
The arrangements are particularly important for pregnant women, critically ill patients and other individuals requiring urgent medical attention and timely transfer to higher healthcare institutions.
The Mission Director also called for close coordination with the Mechanical Engineering Department, Police and other relevant agencies to facilitate timely snow clearance and restoration of road connectivity.
He stressed that emergency transportation mechanisms must remain responsive and that avoidable delays in shifting patients should be minimised through advance planning and effective interdepartmental coordination.
The review also covered the availability of diagnostic facilities, vaccination services and other essential medical interventions across districts.
Athar Aamir directed district authorities to ensure continuity of diagnostic services and maintain adequate stocks of required vaccines and medical supplies during winter.
Officials were asked to identify potential operational gaps, logistical constraints and infrastructure deficiencies in advance and take corrective measures to ensure that patients do not face unnecessary difficulties in accessing essential healthcare.
The meeting emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to maintaining healthcare delivery during periods of severe weather, particularly in areas where geographical isolation and transportation disruptions pose additional challenges.
Concluding the review, the Mission Director directed all Chief Medical Officers to conduct regular and rigorous field visits to hospitals, health centres and other healthcare institutions under their jurisdiction.
He instructed district-level officers to assess ground-level preparedness, monitor the availability of medicines and manpower, inspect heating and power backup arrangements and ensure that identified deficiencies are addressed before the onset of peak winter conditions.
Athar Aamir stressed that preparedness must translate into effective implementation on the ground, backed by regular monitoring, accountability and coordination among all concerned departments.
He called upon health officials to remain vigilant and ensure that every healthcare institution across Jammu and Kashmir is equipped to provide accessible, reliable and patient-centric services throughout the winter season.
The review meeting reinforced the administration’s focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, safeguarding maternal and child health, improving emergency transportation and ensuring that even residents of remote and snowbound areas continue to receive timely medical attention during the challenging winter months.
