Travancore Devaswom Board has completed the work on two cardiology centres at Appachimedu and Neelimala-Top on the Pampa-Sannidhanam trekking path.
Both the cardiology centres have been constructed strictly adhering to design provided by the Delhi-based Ecosmart India Limited as part of the long-term masterplan for Sabarimala development, said Mr. K. Ravikumar, TDB Chief Engineer.
Both the cardiology centres have been designed in traditional style and it will house an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit, a seven-bed in-patient ward and retiring rooms for doctors and other staff.
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Mr. Ravikumar said Health department would set up the ICU, medical ward, pharmacy, etc, in a time-bound manner so as to make it operational from the very beginning of the forthcoming Mandalam Makaravilakku festival.
The TDB has also constructed a resting place near the cardiology centre at Appachimedu and a toilet complex on the trekking path. The two cardiology centres, resting place and the toilet complex at
Neelimala have been constructed at a total cost of Rs 1.2 crores, TDB sources said.
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With the commissioning of the two modern cardiology centres, the Health department and the TDB would be able to provide maximum possible cardiac care to the pilgrims undertaking the arduous trek to the holy hillock.
The steep Neelimala-Appachimedu stretch of the Sabarimala trekking path has been identified as a risk-prone area for cardiac patients and as many as 70 persons have reportedly succumbed to their cardiac
ailments on the trekking path during the past one year.
The proposed modern cardiology centres on the trekking path would be a dream-cherished for the Ayyappa devotees who have been demanding for the same since the past several years.
Better healthcare
Mr. K.Jayakumar, Additional Chief Secretary and TDB Chief Commissioner, said Government would ensure better healthcare facility, especially cardiac care, to pilgrims coming to Sabarimala.
He said the two modern cardiology centres would be of great help to risk patients. The risk patients will also have the facility to undergo a health screening system at both these centres.
Mr. Jayakumar said government has taken extra care in systematically improving the pilgrim facilities at Sabarimala so as to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage to every devotee during the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival.
Aravana plant
He said modernisation of the mechanised Aravana plant too was fast progressing at the Sannidhanam so as to ensure trouble-free Aravana production and packing during the festival season when the prasadam would be in high demand.