Mobile medical units for Tiruvannamalai festival

Chennai: The state health department proposes to deploy 10 mobile medical units besides ensuring at least 15 ambulances are available at hand to cope up with emergencies during the Karthigai Mahadepam festival at the renowned Sri Arunachaleshwarar temple in neighbouring Tiruvannamalai. Ten mobile units would be stationed at various vantage points in the town and also on the Girivalam path, while the 15 ambulances will be kept ready for use in case of emergency.

The mobile medical units will be manned by an assistant medical officer and a volunteer from a NGO. Medicos from Chennai and 50 volunteers will also assist these units from December 4 to December 6.The Mahadeepam will be lit atop the 2,688 feet high hill on the evening of December 5 and devotees are expected to start arriving a day ahead from various parts of the country.

As the volume of devotees visiting the temple on this auspicious occasion has been increasing by the year, it has been decided to utilise the services of 108 ambulance.Those with breathing problems, heart ailments or are physically weak should seek medical advice before trekking up the hill. Further, those with BP or diabetes should carry with them the medicines that they usually take.

The team will carry a kit comprising portable oxygen cylinders, portable suction apparatus, stethoscope, blood pressure apparatus, thermometer, glucose apparatus, splinters that might be required in case of fracture, medicines required to control bleeding, pain relief, chest pain, fever and wound care.