GOVT BRACES FOR ANNUAL JATARA VISITORS

With a whopping 1.5 crore or more people expected to take part in the annual SammakkaSarakka Jatara or the Medaram Festival in Warangal district between Feburary 5 and 8, the state government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure hygiene and good health of all those taking part in the festival, health minister Etala Rajender has said.

The minister told reporters here on Wednesday that the government has set up a 50-bed hospital at Medaram in addition to a 10-bed mini camp at English Medium School at Reddygudem, 14 peripheral health camps and 40 more camps on the different routes leading to Medaram.

A total of 150 doctors, including 30 women doctors including specialists along with 530 paramedical staff and 60 Class IV employees are being deputed to man all the healthcare facilities.

Also available for any emergency will be 10 RBCK vehicles, 15 ambulances, 10 twowheeler ambulances and other vehicles. The entire healthcare activity will be overseen by six district medical health officers and 10 deputy DMHOs, Mr Rajender said.

In addition, he said, larger government hospitals at Mulugu, Warangal, Kamalapur and Bhupalapalli will also offer 24-hour services.

All medical supplies that might be needed, be it for attending to different healthcare needs as well as for any deliveries are in place, he added.

Mr Rajender appealed to the people to do their bit in ensuring hygiene at the jatara site and along the routes taken by the pilgrims. It is as important as keeping vows to the deities that everyone plays their part in ensuring hygiene and health, he said.