Fest at Sabarimala, Doctors, paramedical staff will be posted

Pathanamthitta, Oct 30 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemathy today said 70 Doctors and 595 paramedical staff would be pressed into service in connection with the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple.

Talking to reporters after chairing the Sabarimala review meeting at the Collectorate here, she said medicines worth at Rs One crore had been stocked. As many as 175 Doctors, 56 from medical education sector and 39 from the DMO level were requistitioned for Sabarimala duty.

She said a mini operation theatre and an intensive care unit would become operational by November six at Sannidhanam. In addition to existing 13 Ambulances, 10 more would be made available during the pilgrimage season.

Arrangements were made to add three Mobile Medical units and two hi-tech Ambulances at an estimated cost Rs 30 lakh each soon, she said.

A special officer would be posted at 'Sannidhanam' to supervise anti-food adulteration operation. At Pathanamthitta General Hospeital, a Sabarimala special ward would be opened, she said adding that an intensive care unit exlusively for Sabarimal pilgrims would function from November 15 at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.

A cath lab with facilities for emergency operations would work round-the-clock there, she said and added that at Kozhencherry District Hospital, a blood storage unit would be set up with trained doctors and nurses.

UNI XR CGV ROY RL AS1959