Amarnath pilgrim death Health department still asleep, as fake certificates being issued to pilgrims

Amarnath pilgrim death Health department still asleep, as fake certificates being issued to pilgrims Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, July 17: The death of number of pilgrims during the ongoing Amarnath yatra has once again brought to notice the poor arrangement made by the government, particularly the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). Though health certificate has been made mandatory before taking on the journey, but the health officials are not taking this direction seriously and government is also quite silent on the issue. The tragic deaths of 86 Amarnath cave-bound pilgrims, mostly due to cardiac arrest, within 22 days of the annual pilgrimage has raised serious questions on the manner the mandatory health certificates are issued to the pilgrims as well as the availability of prompt medical facilities at the time of emergency. Official source said that in many cases the pilgrims were found to be in possession of fake fitness certificates. The excuse offered by the State health department officials that they cannot prevent pilgrims suffering from diabetes and respiratory problems from undertaking the pilgrimage because the certificates are from medical practitioners, cannot be taken at face value. When contacted Director Health Services Jammu, Dr Madhu Khullar said that today she visited the base camp Jammu to review the entire system and necessary action and plan will be formulated. “We have made clear to doctors that if they continue to ignore the pilgrims and don’t do their job seriously, action will be taken against them”, she said. Interestingly, “if that rules strictly implement before these deaths, may be it help to save those life of pilgrim. A question is raised who doctors issued the fake health certificate; the state government will take legal step against them. A devotee Ashwani kumar UP said that many pilgrims died even before they could have their first glimpse of the holy shrine. The mostly people died due to heart failed. He alleged that when he was came in Jammu and some travelers offer, they help to get the Medical certificate without checkup. But he was gone the base camp and entire checkup by doctors. He further said that the health department has as much responsibility as the doctors do in ensuring that the pilgrims who aspire to take the trip are reasonably fit to do so. At least facilities should be upgraded to ensure that this once-a-year-pilgrimage is a safe and happy experience for the devotees. Recently the doctors informed the Health Minister that in many cases persons with existing medical problems have been able to obtain registration after furnishing compulsory health certificates which are illegally obtained”, he added.