Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today visited Pahalgam and chaired a meeting to review the medical preparedness preparations for ensuing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 at Pahalgam Club here.
MLA Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani; Director SKIMS; Principal GMC Anantnag; Director Health Services, Kashmir; MD JKMSCL; RTO Kashmir; Superintending Engineers PHE and KPDCL, SDM Pahalgam, ACD, CMO, DD Tourism, Executive Engineers of various engineering wings and other officials attended the meeting.
The Minister had a detailed review of healthcare, logistical and other preparations being put in place by the different departments for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. Addressing the officers, the Minister emphasized on the critical importance of robust medical facilities along the Yatra route including transit camps, stations and other prominent places.
She stressed that the department must provide best possible healthcare to the pilgrims for their health and wellness during the entire pilgrimage. Sakeena Itoo also reviewed the drinking water and power supply, availability of essential commodities, transport and sanitation, road connectivity, telecommunication and other facilities related to the SANJY.
The Minister placed special emphasis on robust transport management and sanitation, including measures for the post-Yatra period, saying that this would ease the experience for both pilgrims and tourists. She also called for upgrading facilities wherever needed, backed by well-planned contingency plans ready for immediate execution.
Sakeena Itoo impressed upon the officers to exhibit full hospitality to the pilgrims so they have an enriching, pleasant and lasting experience of the place. “Pilgrims need to be facilitated in all possible ways for smooth conduct of the sacred journey”, she remarked.
The Director Health Services, Kashmir, briefed the Minister about the healthcare arrangements made by the department for the devotees on both Pahalgam and Baltal Axis. He said that facilities including establishment of hospitals, advance and critical care units, deployment of specialists having expertise in high altitude healthcare, ambulances, medicines and other logistics have been meticulously planned and put in place.
Following the meeting, several public delegations and representatives of various associations called on the Minister and put forth their issues and concerns. The Minister assured them that their genuine issues will be resolved in a time bound manner.
Later, Sakeena Itoo visited the Government Hospital Pahalgam to take stock of its functioning and readiness for the SANJY. She inspected various sections of the hospital and directed the concerned officials to ensure best possible healthcare facilities are available at the hospital.