Sabarimala pilgrims from outside must pay for treatment

Those from within Kerala can avail themselves of free treatment facility for COVID-19, says Health Department.

Safe darshan: Health Department has planned to deploy staff at Sannidhanam, Charalmedu, Pampa, Nilakkal and Erumeli

The State Health Department has issued orders that Sabarimala pilgrims from outside Kerala who are not enrolled in Ayushman Bharat (AB) health insurance scheme will have to bear the expenses of their treatment in the event of their requiring treatment for COVID-19.

They will be provided treatment at government or private hospital of the individual’s choice on cost basis.

However, pilgrims from within Kerala can avail themselves of free treatment for COVID-19 even if they are not enrolled in the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhati or Ayushman Bharat (AB).

However, immediate medical care facilities shall be provided at the designated sites. The patient management shall be done appropriately as per the clinical assessment of the patients through private and government hospitals, says the order.

In the case of other ailments, pilgrims from both within and outside Kerala, who are not part of the AB scheme and belonging to APL category, will have to bear the cost of treatment.

Action plan

Meanwhile, the Health department has formulated a detailed action plan for Sabarimala pilgrimage utilising all hospitals, human resource and ambulances in government hospitals as well as empanelled private hospitals, so that the best of medical facilities can be provided for the thousands who are expected to arrive at Sabarimala.

The department has proposed that health staff be deployed at Sannidhanam, Charalmedu, Pampa, Nilakkal and Erumeli. An emergency operation theatre will also function at Sannidhanam.

The health department has arranged medical facilities for managing palpitation, breathlessness, chest pain or heart attack and other cardiac issues, all along the trekking trail from Pampa till Sannidhanam. Free ambulance service has been arranged and these services will be available at Nilakkal, Pampa, Elavunkal, Ranni Perinad, Vadasserikkara and Pandalam

Emergency medical centres and oxygen parlours will be set up in various places from Pampa to Sannidhanam. Nurses trained in Heart attack management and automated external defibrillators will be available at these centres round the clock.