Puri, Jul 14: The Odisha Health Department has announced extensive medical arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of lakhs of devotees during the holy Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on July 16.

For the first time, eight temporary hospitals with 10 beds each will be set up along both sides of the Grand Road (Badadanda).

In addition, the Puri District Headquarters Hospital will be equipped with a 10-bed ICU, a 10-bed trauma care unit, a 10-bed burn ward, and a dedicated operation theatre. A newly constructed block will add 150 extra beds to handle the expected surge in patients.

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The medical team will include 230 doctors, among them 66 specialists, two cardiologists, two neurologists, and two plastic surgeons, supported by 200 nursing officers and 229 paramedics.

To tackle heat-related emergencies, 10 air-conditioned beds will be available at the district hospital, two at community health centres, and one at primary health centres.

Emergency response will be strengthened with 30 first-aid centres across Puri, including 11 on Badadanda that will remain open round-the-clock. A fleet of 46 ambulances will be deployed at strategic points to ensure rapid medical assistance.

Uniform Medicine Prices

Meanwhile, in a significant move for public health, the Odisha government has decided to implement uniform medicine prices across the state.

Following the Union Ministry of Chemicals’ notification fixing prices for 39 essential drugs used to treat conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, the state will display rate charts at all medical stores.

Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling expressed gratitude to the Union Health Minister and the Prime Minister for the initiative, which aims to make essential medicines affordable and accessible.