Jammu/Udhampur: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Monday, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic bus accident on the Ramnagar–Udhampur route and directed authorities to ensure immediate and round-the-clock medical care for the injured.
Expressing anguish over the loss of lives in the accident, the Minister conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Taking immediate cognisance of the incident, Sakeena Itoo directed the Principals of Government Medical College Jammu and Government Medical College Udhampur to keep emergency services on high alert and ensure prompt admission and treatment of all injured passengers.
She instructed both institutions to deploy dedicated teams of senior doctors, trauma specialists, surgeons and paramedical staff for continuous monitoring and treatment.
“Maintain round-the-clock availability of specialist care, including critical care and surgical interventions wherever required,” the Minister directed.
She also asked the hospital administrations to ensure adequate availability of blood, essential medicines and life-saving equipment in emergency wards and intensive care units. The Minister further directed that a coordinated referral mechanism be established between hospitals to handle critical cases efficiently.
Sakeena Itoo stressed that no laxity should be tolerated in the treatment of the injured and said all necessary medical facilities must be provided free of cost on priority.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary also expressed profound grief over the tragedy at Jallo on the Ramnagar–Udhampur route.
In his message, the Deputy Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and extended sympathies to the injured.
He assured that the administration was extending all necessary medical care to the injured and that every possible support would be provided to the affected families.
“The government stands with the bereaved families in this difficult time and all possible assistance will be provided,” he said.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo also visited Government Medical College Udhampur to enquire about the condition of those injured in the accident, which took place near Kaghote in Ramnagar.
The Chief Secretary, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa, Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Prem Singh and other senior officials, interacted with the injured and reviewed the treatment being provided.
During the visit, Dulloo directed the hospital administration to ensure the highest standard of treatment and support for all victims without delay.
Describing the accident as deeply unfortunate, he said the government was closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance to the affected families.
The Chief Secretary said that immediately after the accident, the district administration, in coordination with the Army and other agencies, launched a rescue and evacuation operation to shift the injured to hospital.
Emphasising the need for stronger road safety measures, Dulloo called for strict enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such incidents in future.
He stressed the need for stringent action against overloading and underlined the importance of ensuring the fitness and roadworthiness of vehicles.
The administration, he said, remains committed to supporting the victims and taking measures to avoid recurrence of such tragedies in Jammu and Kashmir.
