Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, DC Kargil reviewed the winter preparedness and arrangements, also the stock position and supply of essential commodities especially in the snow-bound areas of the district on November 10.

He directed the concerned departments to ensure proper transportation and supply of essential commodities including ration, medicines, key construction materials, and petroleum products to the district in a stipulated time frame keeping in view the ensuing winter season. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Tsering Motup besides officers of Mechanical, R&B, PDD, Health, Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Cooperatives, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, ICDS, and other concerned officers were present in the meeting. 

The concerned officers were asked to stock COVID-19 related healthcare facilities besides adequate stock of food grains, fuel, medicines, and other related essentials. 

Also, he took stock of the supply position and achievements made by the concerned departments so far and stressed officers to ensure the stocking of the remaining quota of essentials at the earliest. The officers concerned apprised him about the requirements and stock and supply position concerning essential commodities including food grains, petroleum products, LPG, medicines and other materials.

Regarding necessary preparations for COVID-19 mitigation measures during the winter season and availability of the healthcare facilities at the Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital and other health institutions in the district, the officers of the Health Department informed Baseer that adequate arrangements have been made to suffice the requirements up to May next year.

CMO Kargil informed that there are at present 100 beds with oxygen facilities at the COVID-19 Hospital, Kargil which can be extended to 150 in case of need. There is the facility of 30 ICU ventilators and 2 portable ventilators, 30 para patient monitors, 60 oxygen concentrators, 25 nebulizers, 20 pulse oxymeters, 1 Biorad Machine, 1 Automatic RNA Extractor, 1 BSL 2 cabinet, 1 TruNat Machine and other required machinery available at the COVID-19 Hospital. 

The CMO further said besides other facilities, there is also the availability of 934 mega and medium oxygen cylinders in all the medical blocks including the COVID-19 Hospital Kargil at present while 471 oxygen cylinders are in transit which will reach the district shortly.

Regarding the stock position of ration commodities, the meeting was informed that adequate ration has been stocked which is enough to suffice the requirements of the consumers in the district up to ending April next year. As regards to the availability of consumer goods, 1310 quintals of consumer goods and 7945 quintals of fertilizers have been stocked so far while stocking of the rest of the projected requirement is underway. 

The officers were directed to put in place an efficient supply chain to ensure lifting, stocking, and dumping of essentials before the closure of the Zojila Pass.