Director Health Services Kashmir Reviews Healthcare Delivery and Winter Preparedness in Kupwara District

Kupwara: Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Nighat Yasmeen, today visited District Headquarter Kupwara along with a team of divisional-level officers to review the overall functioning of the healthcare system, assess the status of various health programmes and address issues affecting service delivery across the district.

The review meeting was attended by District-level Health officers and Block Medical Officers of the district. Detailed deliberations were held on the functioning of healthcare institutions, availability of essential medicines and medical equipment, manpower deployment, implementation of various National Health Programmes and other health schemes, and measures required to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Special emphasis was laid on winter preparedness in view of the approaching winter season, particularly in areas prone to heavy snowfall and road closures. The Director stressed the need for advance planning to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services, adequate stocking of essential and emergency medicines, availability of oxygen and other critical supplies, functional heating arrangements, power backup, ambulance services and effective emergency response mechanisms.

The meeting also reviewed preparedness for maternal healthcare during winter. The Director directed the concerned officers to ensure proper line-listing of high-risk pregnancy cases, regular monitoring and follow-up of expectant mothers, and timely identification of cases requiring specialized care. She emphasized that high-risk pregnant women residing in remote and snowbound areas should be identified well in advance and shifted to designated shelter homes or appropriate facilities before the onset of severe weather, wherever required, to ensure safe and timely institutional delivery. The officers were instructed to maintain close coordination with field-level health workers and ensure that no high-risk case remains unattended.

Dr. Yasmeen also reviewed the progress of various health schemes and directed the concerned officers to strengthen monitoring, ensure timely reporting, address implementation gaps and make optimum use of available resources. She emphasized the importance of regular field inspections, accountability at all levels and effective coordination between district and divisional authorities for resolving operational issues.

Later, the Director visited Sub-District Hospital Kupwara, where she took stock of the hospital’s overall functioning, availability of clinical and diagnostic services, essential drugs, equipment and manpower, and the arrangements in place for providing quality patient care. She interacted with the concerned officials and reviewed the issues requiring attention for further strengthening hospital services.

During the visit, Dr. Yasmeen also met the local Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and held discussions on various healthcare-related issues concerning the area. Both sides deliberated on the challenges faced by local residents and possible measures to improve healthcare infrastructure, service delivery and access to medical facilities. The interaction focused on identifying practical solutions through coordination between the health administration and public representatives.

Dr. Nighat Yasmeen reiterated the Directorate’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services across all districts of Kashmir Division and stressed that proactive planning, effective monitoring and coordinated efforts are essential to ensure accessible, reliable and quality healthcare, particularly for people living in remote and vulnerable areas during the winter months.