India-Pakistan tension: Nadda reviews preparedness related to health infrastructure

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday reviewed the preparedness related to health infrastructure in the country’s hospitals amid the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan and directed officials to ensure that all medical emergency response systems are fully equipped and functional. The minister stressed the need to establish ground level contact with all state governments, especially those adjoining international borders, to provide immediate healthcare services in case of emergency, an official statement said. In the backdrop of the military conflict with Pakistan, Nadda said the 24-hour control and command centre in the Health Ministry should monitor the ongoing efforts and provide assistance to the states, according to the statement. Accordingly, hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure availability of essential medicines, adequate supply of blood, oxygen and trauma care kits etc. They have been advised to coordinate with the state and district administration, armed forces, private sector hospitals and charitable institutions to strengthen the emergency response network, the statement said. In the review meeting, Nadda was briefed on the preliminary steps such as keeping ambulances ready for deployment, ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies and equipment; keeping hospitals prepared for any emergency. “The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response in all areas,” the statement said. Tensions have been simmering between New Delhi and Islamabad since the Indian armed forces destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.