Health Dept Sets Up 3 Hospitals, 72 Medical Camps for Medaram Jatara

Hyderabad:With lakhs of devotees expected to attend the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara at Medaram, the health department has put in place three hospitals, 30 on-site medical camps and 42 along major pilgrimage routes to attend to any emergencies.

Health minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha, who reviewed the preparedness during a video conference on Saturday, instructed officials to adopt a zero-compromise approach to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims.

At the main jatara venue, a 50-bed hospital has been established at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam.

This is supported by two six-bed mini hospitals at high-footfall locations at Jampanna Vagu and the English Medium School. In addition, 30 peripheral medical camps have been set up within the Jatara area.

Officials informed the minister that medical camps at the altars (Gaddelu), Jampanna Vagu and the RTC bus stand were functioning in view of the early arrival of pilgrims.

Of the 42 en-route medical camps, nine are on the Hanamkonda–Medaram route, six each on the Kataram–Bhupalpally–Kalvapalli and Chhattisgarh routes, five on the Bhadrachalam route, and the remaining spread across other key approaches.

Officials said 3,199 medical and support staff had been deployed from the erstwhile Warangal and Khammam districts, including 544 doctors, among them 72 specialists, and 42 women doctors and 2,150 paramedics. They have been divided in shifts and medial help will be available round the cloc.

For emergency response and golden-hour care, 35 ambulances have been positioned strategically. The minister designated Mulugu Government General Hospital and MGM Hospital, Warangal, as referral centres.