Medaram Jatara: Telangana govt deploys over 3,000 medical staff, 50-bed hospital, 42 route camps for pilgrims

Hyderabad: With lakhs of devotees expected to arrive for the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara, the State Health Department has put in place an extensive medical preparedness plan to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services throughout the mega tribal festival.

Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha reviewed the arrangements during a high-level video conference with senior officials and directed them to adopt a zero-compromise approach on pilgrim health and safety.

50-bed main hospital, mini units at high-footfall points

To manage emergencies at the core Jatara venue, a 50-bed main hospital, Sri Sammakka Saralamma Vaidya Shala, has been set up at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam.

Supporting this facility are two six-bed mini hospitals established at Jampanna Vagu and the English Medium School, both identified as high-density pilgrim zones.

In addition, 30 peripheral medical camps have been deployed across the Jatara radius. Officials informed the Minister that three key camps, at the Gaddelu (altars), Jampanna Vagu and the RTC Bus Stand, are already functional, in view of the early arrival of devotees.

42 en-route medical camps on eight major routes

Stressing that healthcare must extend beyond the main venue, the Minister reviewed the deployment of 42 en-route medical camps across eight major approach roads used by pilgrims from Telangana and neighbouring states.

Hanamkonda–Medaram: 9 camps

Kataram/Bhupalpally–Kalvapalli: 6 camps

Gundala–Kothagudem–Medaram: 4 camps

Chhattisgarh–Medaram: 6 camps

Bhadrachalam–Medaram: 5 camps

Kondai–Medaram: 3 camps

Bhupalpally–Medaram: 5 camps

Gandhi Nagar X Road–Medaram: 4 camps

This route-wise distribution is aimed at ensuring immediate medical assistance during long pilgrim journeys.

Over 3,000 medical personnel deployed

Drawing from previous Jatara experiences, the department has mobilised 3,199 healthcare personnel from the erstwhile Warangal and Khammam districts.

The deployment includes 544 doctors, among them 72 specialists and 42 lady doctors, and over 2,150 paramedics, working in shifts to provide round-the-clock medical coverage.

35 ambulances, referral hospitals on high alert

For swift emergency response during the critical “golden hour,” 35 ambulances have been strategically stationed along routes and at the venue.

The Minister designated Mulugu Government General Hospital and MGM Hospital as referral centres, instructing authorities to keep them on high alert for the next 30 days.

Field inspection ordered

Concluding the review, Minister Raja Narasimha directed Director of Public Health Dr. Ravinder Naik to proceed to Medaram immediately and conduct a field-level inspection to ensure all medical arrangements are in full readiness ahead of the peak Jatara days.