CMO directs round-the-clock Cardiac emergency preparedness in PHCs

Reviews Healthcare Services in Eastern Ladakh

LEH: The Health Department has directed health facilities across Eastern Ladakh to strengthen emergency cardiac response and ensure round-the-clock availability of critical life-saving equipment and medicines, following a comprehensive review of healthcare services conducted by Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Leh, at peripheral health institutions in the region.

During an inspection of Primary Health Centre (PHC) Tangtse, Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Health and Wellness Centre) Spangmik and Ayushman Arogya Mandir Shayok on July 14, the CMO, accompanied by the District Programme Officer (DPO), National Health Mission (NHM), Leh, reviewed healthcare delivery, emergency preparedness, infrastructure development and administrative functioning.

Interacting with the Block Medical Officer, Medical Officers, Community Health Officers, staff nurses and field functionaries, the CMO stressed the need to provide timely, respectful and quality healthcare services to patients, particularly in the remote border areas of Eastern Ladakh.

With tourist arrivals and labour movement increasing in the region, the CMO directed all health facilities to strengthen emergency management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) cases by ensuring that ECG machines, oxygen support systems and essential emergency medicines remain functional and readily available at all times.

As part of the Ladakh Save Brain & Heart Initiative, Medical Officers at peripheral health institutions were instructed to perform immediate ECGs for all suspected heart attack cases and share the reports through a dedicated WhatsApp group comprising cardiologists to facilitate prompt specialist guidance and early intervention.

The inspection also covered ongoing construction of health centres and staff quarters, with the CMO directing contractors and executing agencies to expedite the projects while maintaining prescribed quality standards.

Administrative functioning was also reviewed, with directions issued for regular supervisory visits by the Block Medical Officer, proper maintenance of records, uninterrupted availability of medicines, staff attendance and timely grievance redressal. The DPO, NHM, Leh, separately examined institutional records and provided technical guidance to the concerned staff.

The inspection concluded with the Health Department reaffirming its commitment to strengthening emergency cardiac and stroke care, improving healthcare infrastructure and enhancing access to quality medical services in the remote border areas of Eastern Ladakh.