Additional medical facilities set up for Sabarimala pilgrims: Health Minister

In view of the pilgrim season that begins in the hilly shrine of Sabarimala from today (16.11.2021), additional arrangements are put in place for providing better medical aid for pilgrims, state Health Minister Veena Geroge has said. 

Apart from the medical facilities made available at different places in Pathanamthitta district, pilgrims can also avail medical aid if necessary at  Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki districts. A well-connected and extensive ambulance network is in place along with several mobile medical units. Besides that 15 basic life support (BLS) ambulances, one additional life support (ALS), and two minibuses are available for medical service.

Pilgrims can avail of medical treatment at Community Health Centre Erumeli, Kozhencherry District Hospital, Ranni Perinad Community Health Center, Ranni Taluk Headquarters Hospital, Pandalam Valiakoikkal Temple Midway Camp, Adoor District Hospital, Mundakayam Taluk Hospital, Kanjirappally General Hospital, Vandiperiyar Community Health Centre, Kumily Primary Health Centre, Chengannur District Hospital and Pathanamthitta District Hospital, the release said. Besides that special aid posts are set up at Chengannur Railway Station and Mahadeva Temple. 

At Nilakkal Primary Health Centre,  Charalmedu Dispesery, Erumeli Community Centre and Pathanamthitta General Hospital doctors are posted along with other supporting staff, said minister. Two cardiologists, two pulmonologists, five physicians, five  orthopaedics, four surgeons, three anaesthetists, eight assistant surgeons are posted for providing medical services for the pilgrims. Apart from that six lab technicians, 13 pharmacists, 19 staff nurses, 11 nursing assistants, 17 hospital assistants and four radiographers are posted. In addition to this, in all emergency medical centres, nurses will be available. 

Special teams are in-charge of preventing epidemics and conducting mosquito eradication drives. Health officials will make sure that the water in Sannidhanam and nearby places is of the required quality. Availability of doxycycline capsules used as preventive medicine for leptospirosis and anti-snake venom has been ensured, minister said. 

For medical aid, pilgrims can call Disha 104, 1056, 0471 2552056, 2551056.