J&K to sensitize
outside doctors on AmarnathJi yatra Health Certificates: CS
Asks States/UTs to rationalise medics
commensurate to number of pilgrims
JAMMU, MARCH 26: Chief Secretary, Atal
Dulloo, today held a crucial meeting with the Health Secretaries from 10 States
and UTs, asking them to designate adequate number of doctors for issuance of
‘Compulsory Health Certificates’ (CHCs) in favour of pilgrims embarking on the
sacred journey to Shri Amarnathji Shrine in J&K.
The meeting besides Principal Secretary to
Lieutenant Governor and CEO, Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB) was attended
by Secretary, H&ME; Additional CEO, SASB; Director, SKIMS; Director,
Health, Jammu/Kashmir; representative from Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, GoI.
The Chief Secretary directed the Health
Department to conduct the sensitization sessions with the doctors designated by
the respective states for issuance of these CHCs in favour of the pilgrims
intending to take on this holy journey. He said that such an exercise would
help them in better understanding of the requirements to be met by a person for
safe pilgrimage.
He also asked the participating Health
Secretaries to further ensure rationalization of doctors across the health
facilities commensurate to the number of pilgrims from that area. He declared
that this would reciprocate into thorough clinical assessment of the applicants
on part of the medics thereby ensuring safety of lives.
He emphasized that individuals with
underlying comorbid conditions or physical weaknesses that render them unfit
for high-altitude travel must be thoroughly screened. Those deemed unfit should
not be issued health certificates, as this would pose a significant risk to
their lives during the pilgrimage. He maintained that the UT government is
committed to provide best facilities to these pilgrims and wants the yatra to
be fully safe, secure and enthralling for each of the devotees.
While pointing out some of the critical
issues that have undermined the CHC process in previous years, Principal
Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, who is also CEO
of the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB), said in past doctors had issued
CHCs to unfit pilgrims, including those with co-morbidities, to participate in
the Yatra, resulting in tragic consequences.
He cited the 2012 Amarnath Yatra as a stark
example, where over 100 pilgrims lost their lives due to health complications
that were severely exacerbated by the extreme conditions of the pilgrimage like
high altitude above 12,800 feet, low oxygen levels, snow-covered mountains and
sudden temperature drops. These challenges underscored the urgent need for
rigorous health screening to prevent such incidents in future, therefore,
making of CHC prerequisite for registration.
He also advised for nominating doctors by
their official designation who are required to personally sign the CHCs,
including their name, address and NMC registration number. This step will
enhance accountability and check unauthorized certificate issuance in favour of
unfit persons.
Furthermore, the States have been asked to
submit their lists of nominated doctors to the Shrine Board by April 5, 2025,
facilitating seamless coordination ahead of the Yatra’s commencement. The
registration for the Yatra, 2025, will begin on April 14, 2025, through banks,
offering both online and offline options.
The participants were made aware that this
is in compliance with a 2012 Supreme Court ruling which mandates that CHCs be
issued only by designated medical officers in a prescribed format, based on a
pre-requisite list, to ensure legal and procedural consistency.
It was revealed that since majority of the
pilgrims belongs to these States/UTs, it has therefore become imperative to
take-up the matter with the concerned health authorities. It was highlighted
that this pilgrimage involves a long and arduous trek through high-altitude
terrain with risks of serious conditions like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
(HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
With registration set to begin in April
2025, the Shrine Board is poised to deliver a safer, more organized pilgrimage
experience in the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Additional DDG and Director (EMR),
Ministry of H&FW, made out that about 1415 doctors would be deployed on
rotation basis by the Ministry to the UT for assistance during the yatra period.
He also assured the meeting that necessary instructions would be passed on to
all for strict adherence to the guidelines besides participation of their
nominated doctors in the online sessions to be held shortly by the Department
of Health, Government of J&K.
The States and UTs participated in the
meeting included Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan,
Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra.