Srinagar, Nov 30 : Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather on Tuesday held a meeting with all the Medical Superintendents of hospitals across Kashmir and reviewed the Covid-19 arrangements.
A spokesperson of the Directorate of Health Services, in a statement issued to GNS said that the Director reviewed all the Covid-19 related arrangements and discussed measures being put in place in view of the Covid variant Omicron, which has been classified as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He directed all the Medical Superintendents to remain in an alert situation and keep the hospitals in the ready mode in case of any kind of eventuality.
The Director also directed them to keep the Covid-19 related supplies available in hospitals and also create separate isolated beds which shall be kept ready for any kind of eventuality.
Further, Dr Mushatq stressed in IEC activities and awareness should be increased among the general public and said that adherence to SOPs, Covid Appropriate Behavior, social distancing and wearing of masks are the first line of defense of any kind of variant.
Controller Stores DHSK who was also present in the meeting was directed to keep the Covid related supplies available in abundance in all the hospitals.
All the Medical Superintendents were given the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, which were revised afresh in view of the Covid variant Omicron.
During the meeting, the Director emphasized focusing on testing and directed the hospital administrators that testing should be increased so that case detection becomes easy.
“There has been an increased prevalence of cases. We should have more focus on testing so that once cases are traced then we can isolate and treat them properly,” he said.
Dr Mushtaq said people have been a bit complacent and they should continue to follow the precautionary measures and follow the guidelines in letter and spirit.
The director said showing some disregard towards established SOPs could have disastrous consequences and can be very detrimental in our fight against the virus.
He said the department is ready and all the measures related to oxygen supplies and availability of medicines besides other arrangements have already been put in place to face any eventuality.
On Monday On the directions of Additional Chief Secretary J&K Health and Medical Education Department, Vivek Bhardwaj, the Director visited Srinagar International Airport in view of fresh guidelines for international arrivals.
Pertinently to mention here that the director recently reviewed Covid-19 testing facility on strategic Srinagar-Jammu Highway near the entry point of Qazigund tunnel (Zig Tunnel) and directed CMO Kulgam to increase the testing and ensure that every traveler is tested before their entry to Kashmir. (GNS)
