Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today reviewed the preparedness of Health department to deal with novel Coronavirus (nCoV) across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was called in the backdrop of the video conference convened by the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India on January 30, 2020.Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, ADGP Security, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Director Coordination, New Medical Colleges, MD JKMSCL, Principal GMC Jammu, Director Health Services, Jammu and other concerned officers participated in the meeting.Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, IGP, Kashmir Zone, Director SKIMS, Principals of GMCs, all Deputy Commissioners and other senior officers of Health & Medical Education Department of Kashmir Division attended the meeting through video conference.FC Health gave a comprehensive account of the preparedness of the Health and Medical Education Department across J&K to tackle the virus. He detailed the arrangements put in place in the hospitals in terms of supplies, equipment as also steps being taken for the capacity building of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to deal with the cases of coronavirus. He enunciated the protocols to be followed in Jammu and Kashmir Divisions in the event of influx of any suspect passenger from the foreign countries especially China, Japan and South East Asian Countries.FC, Health & Medical Education informed that the situation is being monitored on a daily basis with explicit directions having been issued to the hospital authorities to promptly attend to any patient with symptoms of fever, running nose, severe cold, sore throat, cough, feeling unwell etc. Besides, the Medical Colleges in Srinagar and Jammu, hospitals have been designated for purposes of quarantine of patients with symptoms as those of Coronavirus. FC Health also informed that a team of doctors and Paramedics working at GMCs/Divisional/District Level Surveillance Units have attended an orientation programme conducted by National Programme Officer, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI.
Chief Secretary urged the Health Department to remain on high alert and work in close coordination with Divisional and District Administrations and officers of security at the Srinagar and Jammu Airports and Railway stations to deal with any suspected case of coronavirus on a real time basis. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Coronavirus as a Global Health Emergency, therefore, there is an emergent need to be geared up to meet any eventuality”, Chief Secretary observed.He asked the Divisional Commissioners to have the pamphlets in local languages prepared and distributed at the places where there are congregations as well as tourist and pilgrimage places. For this purpose, temporary check posts will be set up by the concerned Deputy Commissioners for awareness of the general public. DCs will through their respective Chief Medical Officers launch sustained awareness among the common masses through all available means at Panchayat, School and through other government and private establishments etc. so that there is no panic and that people get educated about the precautions and protocol to be followed in the event of contact with any suspect person with such symptoms.“Advisory to all hoteliers especially in Kashmir division should be issued to track travel history of people coming from foreign countries in general and China in particular in past few weeks”, Chief Secretary observed.Chief Secretary asked FC (Health) to especially focus on training part including Sampling, Quarantine, Bio-Medical Waste disposal and Mortuary Management so as to avoid any possible infection to the health staff dealing with such cases. He also directed the two Divisional Commissioners to hold a meeting of all concerned officers to synergize the efforts to deal with the situation promptly.Chief Secretary directed the ADGP Security to issue appropriate directions to the police officers at Srinagar and Jammu Airports and Railway Stations to coordinate with the Health department for any assistance required to be provided to health staff for taking suspect cases to designated hospitals for sampling and isolation. He stressed on equipping the ambulances with all facilities so that there are minimal chances of transmission of this virulent virus.Chief Secretary directed the Health Department to issue advisories to all citizens to observe personal hygiene and take all precautions as may be required including use of masks by persons with flu-like symptoms and report to the nearest health centre immediately for screening in case of any similar symptoms.Chief Secretary assured that all required facilities and support will be provided to enable the Health Department to deal with the cases of Corona virus effectively.