Amid Operation Sindoor and escalating tension between India and Pakistan, a disaster plan has been put in place at major hospitals in Delhi and Noida. AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Trauma Centre has upgraded facilities in case of any mass casualty event, said the chief, Dr Kamran Farooque. “We will increase the number of beds in case of any mass casualty event. The trauma centre has 250 beds currently,” he added. He further said that blood and surgical items, including gloves, sutures, IV lines, and fluid, have been stocked up. “We are prepared to take in more patients. in terms of resources, beds, and staff. If required, we will get manpower from the main AIIMS,” Dr Farooque added. AIIMS spokesperson Dr Reema Dada said the institute has conducted three mock drills so far on attending mass casualty situations in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force. “We have specialised doctors available in all wards,” she added. Dr Ritu Saxena, Deputy Medical Superintendent at Lok Nayak Hospital, said a 70-bed disaster ward has been prepared. Oxygen points have been attached to each bed, she added. “We have conducted several mock drills and provided training to doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff,” she said. Hospital authorities said that while a Red Cross sign will be painted on the roof of the building to ensure it is not attacked, the hospital will hold another mock drill to ensure its preparedness on Saturday. Safdarjung Hospital and its associated Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), meanwhile, have cancelled the leave of all faculty members. Dr Anubhav Bansal, medical superintendent of the hospital, said a disaster plan is in place and necessary steps will be taken in case of a mass casualty. The Delhi government, meanwhile, has also asked private hospitals and nursing homes to check their medicine stock and ensure the availability of specialists. Private hospitals have been asked not to refuse treatment to the injured or serious patients under any circumstances, officials said. Further, the hospitals have been asked to maintain a detailed list containing the contact numbers of all surgeons, anaesthetists, orthopedicians, and burn specialists, among others. The list must also contain the number of ICU beds and operational ventilators available at each hospital, along with its oxygen supply status. The terraces of all hospitals are to be painted with the Red Cross symbol, while the hospitals must also ensure their generator sets are functional. In Noida, the district magistrate instructed fire and health departments to make all necessary preparations to handle any disaster while also ensuring the availability of medicines and blood in hospitals. “Hospital operators must remain vigilant about fire safety standards and implement all necessary measures to minimise risks,” said Pradeep Kumar Choubey, Chief Fire Officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar. The district's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narendra Kumar, added: "Hospitals must ensure an adequate stock of essential medicines and maintain the smooth operation of ambulances.” (with inputs from Neetika Jha)
