Dharali disaster: Uttarakhand health department on alert mode; secretary inspects hospitals

Following the recent cloudburst-triggered disaster in the Dharali region of Uttarkashi district, the Uttarakhand health department has swung into action on the instructions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami . Health teams have reached ground zero and are treating the injured. Additional medical teams will soon join the relief operations.

Health secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar stated that the department has taken swift and concrete measures in response to the Dharali disaster . Hospital systems have been strengthened, ground teams are active, and mental health issues are also being taken seriously, he said, adding that under the leadership of CM Dhami, the health department is fully prepared to deal with every situation.

Health secretary inspects hospitals

Kumar visited Doon Hospital and Coronation District Hospital in Dehradun to assess the preparedness. The health secretary reviewed emergency services, ICUs, general wards, staff attendance, and the availability of medical equipment. He instructed the hospital administration to ensure that patients do not face any lack of medical care. He added that the chief minister has directed that not a single injured or needy person should be deprived of treatment.

Review of ICU, general ward, and staffing

The health secretary then visited Coronation District Hospital, where he reviewed the ICUs, general wards, and other critical units. He instructed that adequate numbers of doctors, nursing staff, and paramedical teams be deployed. He informed that both Doon Medical College and Coronation Hospital in Dehradun are fully equipped from a disaster management standpoint.

Medical facilities reserved in 3 major hospitals

For victims and critically injured patients, beds have been reserved in Doon, Coronation, and AIIMS Rishikesh. The reserved facilities are as follows:

• Doon Medical College, Dehradun (150 general beds, 50 ICU beds)
• Coronation District Hospital, Dehradun (80 general beds, 20 ICU beds)
• AIIMS, Rishikesh (50 general beds, 20 ICU beds)

Doctors, nursing staff, paramedical teams, medicines, and equipment have been fully arranged at these hospitals.

Deployment of 3 psychiatrists

Kumar mentioned that mental stress and depression-related issues may arise in disaster-affected areas. To address this, a special team of three psychiatrists has been deployed in the Dharali region. This team will visit relief camps to provide counseling and mental health support. They will work in coordination with the local administration.

108 Ambulance service, CMO teams in active mode

Chief medical officers (CMOs) and disaster response teams across all districts are on alert mode. The 108 ambulance service has been activated 24x7 to ensure timely transportation of patients to hospitals in case of emergencies.