Leh: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday postponed a scheduled official programme to ensure the urgent air evacuation of a critically ill patient from Leh to Srinagar, highlighting the administration’s focus on medical emergencies in the region.
According to officials, the Lieutenant Governor was set to attend a government event but chose to defer it after receiving a request for the immediate transfer of a 67-year-old patient from Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital in Leh to the Soura Medical Institute in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision drew appreciation from Ladakh BJP president Khachu Tashi, who commended Gupta for placing humanitarian considerations above official commitments and responding swiftly to a life-threatening situation.
The airlift was carried out using the recently expanded B-3 helicopter services, which were inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor on December 12 to improve connectivity in Ladakh and strengthen emergency medical support, particularly in remote and difficult terrain. This was the second such medical evacuation in less than two weeks, following the earlier air transfer of a patient from the Nubra region to Leh.
Medical Superintendent of SNM Hospital, Dr Rinchen Chosdol, said the patient, a resident of Takhmachik village, was suffering from multiple serious health conditions. She explained that the immediate concern was a gangrenous hernia, along with chronic liver disease, fluid accumulation in the lungs and abdomen, and an underlying cardiac problem.
“After providing initial stabilisation, it became clear that the patient needed advanced tertiary care at the earliest,” Dr Chosdol said. She added that a request was sent to the district administration for evacuation, with Srinagar chosen as the destination based on medical suitability and the patient’s preference.
Following the approval, the Lieutenant Governor’s travel was put on hold, allowing the helicopter to be used for the emergency mission. The patient was successfully airlifted and admitted to the Srinagar hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable.
Expressing gratitude, Dr Chosdol said the helicopter service has already proven to be a vital lifeline for critically ill patients in Ladakh. “I sincerely thank the Lieutenant Governor for postponing his official visit and prioritising the patient’s life,” she said.
Officials said the incident underscores the importance of rapid air medical services in the Union Territory, where challenging geography often makes timely access to advanced healthcare difficult.
