Attukal Pongala: Kerala Health department implementing action plan

The Health department of Kerala has prepared a district-level action plan to ensure health services during the Attukal Pongala and begun to implement it, Minister for Health Veena George has said.

Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Health department keeping in mind that thousands, including children and elderly women, come to offer Pongala, the Minister said in a statement.

The department’s 10 medical teams, including ambulances, will be deployed at various places from Saturday till the end of Pongala when the faithful return home.

In case of any health problem, the services of the Health department should be sought, the Minister said.

The District Medical Office is coordinating the arrangements. A 24-hour control room is functioning at the District Medical Office to coordinate the functioning of various teams. 

The control room will function till Monday. A control room, led by a medical officer, will function on the temple premises on Sunday, Pongala day.

Sixteen urban health centres would function as field hospitals providing first aid. 

Fort Taluk Hospital, Nemom Taluk Hospital, General Hospital, Thycaud Women and Children Hospital, Ayranimuttom community health centre, and 10 private hospitals will function as contingent centres handling non-serious cases. 

Government Medical College Hospital here will function as a centre to handle any emergency.

Hundred beds had been arranged at the Casualty wing to meet any emergencies and 30 beds in ward 26 for treatment of burns.