Srinagar: 25 January : The recent two-day spell of heavy snowfall across Kashmir disrupted daily life and cut off road connectivity in several districts. Amid these extreme conditions, 4×4 vehicles of 108 Emergency Medical Services, operated by BVG JKEMS, ensured uninterrupted emergency healthcare delivery.
In Kulgam, a 4×4 vehicle stationed at CHC DH Pora rescued nine pregnant women from snowbound villages. After initial treatment, four patients were referred to District Hospital Kulgam, while a cardiac patient and an unconscious patient were also evacuated using the same vehicle.
In Shopian district, three pregnant women were rescued from Shirmala, Sedow Check and Panjura villages. One patient later delivered a healthy baby girl at District Hospital Shopian. The 4×4 vehicle also evacuated a cardiac arrest patient from Naidgam and a trauma patient from Tukroo village.
In Anantnag, three pregnant women were rescued from Hinggipora and Kapran and shifted to PHC Qamar, with one further referral to CHC Dooru. In Larnoo, seven patients including three pregnant women were evacuated, while in Shangus, five patients were safely shifted to SDH Shangus.
Emergency evacuations were also carried out in Chari Sharief, Khag, Kangan (Ganderbal) and Tangdhar (Kupwara) despite heavy snowfall and blocked roads.
Under CSR, 4×4 vehicles are deployed every winter in vulnerable and snowbound areas to ensure access to emergency transportation.
“The role of 4×4 vehicles becomes critical during such adverse weather,” said Mushtaq Ahmed, Project Head, JKEMS. He said 23, 4×4 vehicles are operational across J&K and that 285 patients were served during the two days of snowfall.
Since the launch of services, 108 JKEMS has catered to 4,51,980 patients and conducted 1,398 deliveries in ambulances or at scene, reinforcing its importance as an emergency lifeline.
