Bhubaneswar: With the world-famous Ratha Yatra 2025 approaching, the Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha has ramped up preparations to ensure smooth medical services during the grand festival in Puri. In a high-level meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan yesterday evening, Aswathy S., Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, reviewed the department’s readiness and laid out a detailed action plan for the period from Nabajauban Darshan (26 June) to Niladri Bije (8 July).
Emphasizing a proactive approach, Aswathy directed officials to ensure that healthcare facilities, manpower, and logistics are put in place well ahead of time to cater to sevayats, pilgrims, tourists, and local residents. “Facilities and services with required manpower must be positioned in advance to meet the healthcare needs during the grand public festival,” she stated.
Key Decisions and Measures Taken:
- Strengthening District Healthcare: The meeting focused on enhancing capacities in government hospitals across Puri district, especially those in and around the temple city. Institutions such as District Headquarters Hospital, Jagannath Medical College, and various CHCs (Chandanpur, Sakhigopal, Mangalpur, Pipili) will receive additional beds, staff, and resources. Facilities at TB & IDH Hospital, KDMM Urban PHC, Police Hospital, Station Road, and Rebenuagaon CHC will also be bolstered.
- First Aid Centres (FACs): A total of 33 round-the-clock First Aid Centres will operate in three shifts, each staffed with at least one doctor, pharmacist, multi-purpose health worker, and attendant. These centers will be set up at:
- Badadanda (12 FACs)
- Sea Beach (3)
- Talabania & Railway Station (3)
- Puri-Bhubaneswar Road (9)
- Puri-Konark Road (4)
- Puri-Satapada Road (2)
- Ambulance Services:
- 31 additional ambulances will be deployed at critical locations including hospitals, Badadanda, sea beach, inside the town, and on major roads connecting Puri.
- 7 dedicated 108 ambulances will be stationed along NH-203.
- Ambulance movement will be streamlined via dedicated ambulance corridors, supported by volunteers.
- Medical Workforce: More than 300 healthcare professionals, including specialists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, and support staff, will be deputed. Sufficient blood units of various groups will be stocked for emergency needs.
- Food Safety and Sanitation: Special teams led by Food Safety Officers will be deployed to monitor food hygiene. Disinfection of water sources and preventive public health measures, along with Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, will be carried out.
- Emergency Management: Rapid Response Teams and a 24×7 Health Control Room will be operational to address any contingencies throughout the festival period.
The review meeting saw the participation of senior officials including Dr. Brundha D. (Mission Director), Dr. Poma Tudu (MD, OSMCL), Dr. Amarendra Mohanty (Director, SIHFW), Dr. J.M. Bebortha (Special Secretary, Public Health), Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra (Special Secretary, Health Services), and Directors of various Health Directorates.
Local officials including Dr. Rupabhanu Mishra (CDM & PHO, Puri) and Dr. Kausik Mishra (Superintendent, Jagannath Medical College) provided detailed updates on the district-level arrangements and highlighted current gaps for immediate action.
With lakhs of devotees expected to descend on Puri for the sacred chariot festival, the Health Department’s extensive planning is aimed at ensuring a safe, hygienic, and responsive healthcare ecosystem, reaffirming the government’s commitment to public welfare during one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
