Centre Reviews National Health Preparedness Amid Border Tensions, Cancels Medical Staff Leave

As a precautionary measure, all hospitals located near the India-Pakistan border, both government and private, have been placed on high alert

Healthcare personnel have been directed to cancel any scheduled leave and report to duty immediately.

Source : Freepik

Amid escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Union Health Ministry has ramped up its national preparedness efforts. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda convened a high-level meeting on Thursday to assess the readiness of healthcare infrastructure across the country. Chief Executive Officers and Chairpersons and Managing Directors (CMDs) of all major pharmaceutical companies participated in the meeting, which focused on ensuring uninterrupted medical services and sufficient supply of essential drugs. Senior officials from the Health Ministry presented a comprehensive review of the operational status of hospitals and healthcare centres nationwide.

As a precautionary measure, all hospitals located near the India-Pakistan border, both government and private, have been placed on high alert. In addition, healthcare personnel have been directed to cancel any scheduled leave and report to duty immediately.

The Health Ministry has instructed pharmaceutical companies to maintain adequate stockpiles of emergency and essential medicines to avoid any disruption in supply chains. Officials stressed that there must be no shortage of critical medicines in the market under any circumstances.

Real-time monitoring is being carried out from the central control room, with continuous updates being shared on the status of hospitals and medical facilities across states.

Ajay Banja On The Indus Waters Treaty

Meanwhile, World Bank President Ajay Banga on Friday emphasised the institution's strictly limited role in the Indus Waters Treaty, making it clear that the Bank acts solely as a facilitator and has no mandate to intervene or enforce any decisions. "We have no role to play beyond a facilitator. There’s a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in & fix the problem but it’s all bunk. The World Bank’s role is merely as a facilitator," Banga said.

Input By : Madiha