Hyderabad: January 10, Posted at 3:32 PM IST
With millions of devotees expected to attend the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, the Telangana State Health Department has finalised a comprehensive medical contingency plan to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services during the mega tribal festival at Medaram.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha reviewed the arrangements during a high-level video conference on Saturday and directed officials to adopt a zero-compromise approach towards the health and safety of pilgrims.
At the main venue, a 50-bed hospital named Sri Sammakka Saralamma Vaidya Shala has been established at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam. This facility is supported by two six-bed mini hospitals located at high-footfall areas such as Jampanna Vagu and the English Medium School. In addition, 30 peripheral medical camps have been set up within the Jatara radius to cater to routine and emergency medical needs.
Recognising the early arrival of devotees, officials informed the Minister that medical camps at the Gaddelu, Jampanna Vagu, and RTC Bus Stand are already operational. To extend healthcare coverage beyond the main venue, 42 en-route medical camps have been established across eight major travel routes leading to Medaram, including routes from Hanamkonda, Bhupalpally, Bhadrachalam, and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The Health Department has mobilised a workforce of 3,199 personnel from the erstwhile Warangal and Khammam districts. This includes 544 doctors—among them specialists and lady doctors—and 2,150 paramedics working in shifts to ensure round-the-clock medical coverage.
For emergency response and “Golden Hour” treatment, 35 ambulances have been positioned strategically along pilgrimage routes and at the venue. Mulugu Government General Hospital and MGM Hospital have been designated as referral centres and placed on high alert for the next 30 days.
Concluding the review, the Minister directed Director of Public Health Dr. Ravinder Naik to conduct an immediate field-level inspection at Medaram to ensure all arrangements are in place.
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