Emergency health care - how far is Gulmarg from the nearest medical facilities?
New medical facilities are proposed for Gulmarg, but these are not expected to be ready for the 2005-2006 winter. Srinagar has a number of hospitals, the most well regarded being the Soura Medical Institute, which is the teaching hospital for the University of Kashmir's medical school. The Soura Institute is located on the side of Srinagar which is closest to Gulmarg.

In the event of a serious injury or illness for one of our guests, we are able to telephone the 24-hour Alarm Centre of East West Rescue in Delhi, and seek East Wests' advice 'over the phone'. If the person requires hospital care, East West Rescue would communicate direct with the Soura Institute to advise of the circumstances of the incoming patient, and if need be, organise ground ambulance services between Gulmarg and Srinagar.

East West Rescue's emergency services include flying their specialist doctors to more remote parts of South Asia, and the evacuation of patients by air ambulance services.
Emergency assistance from East West Rescue requires confirmation of cover by the injured person's insurer.

Typically all payments for East West Rescue's services (and related hospital expenses) are then made direct by the insurer. East West Rescue have kindly provided us with a List of Insurers who in past dealings with East West Rescue have provided immediate authorisation and discretion for East West Rescue to incur expenses in assisting a person in medical difficulties (including emergency air ambulance charter costs).

Patients we have met at East West Rescue in Delhi include an injured French guest of Australian Rod MacKenzie's Himachal Helicopter Skiing, who had nothing but praise for East West Rescue's medical assistance.