Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has successfully achieved its goal of zero health-related casualties during world world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri. Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling expressed his gratitude to all officers, employees, and volunteers deployed in Puri for their collective efforts in ensuring the well-being of devotees.
To provide comprehensive health services, the department set up a camp office in Puri and increased the number of additional beds to 265, up from 140 last year. A total of 378 additional health specialists were deployed from other districts to expand and speed up health services. For the first time, a special team of doctors from AIIMS, Bhubaneswar worked in the treatment centre to provide additional support.
A comprehensive ambulance network was also established, with 74 ambulances, including 31 government ambulances and 43 volunteer ambulances, providing emergency medical transport services.
The department conducted information, education, and communication campaigns to create public health awareness on various topics, including food safety, safe drinking water, hand washing and hygiene protocols, use of ORS, health programs, COVID-19 prevention measures, and the Ayushman Bharat program.
A dedicated Rath Yatra Control Room functioned 24 hours a day to coordinate health-related activities and emergencies. Devotees could reach out for medical assistance or health-related queries on mobile number +91 6370560247 and landline number 06752-222175.
Dr. Mukesh Mahaling supervised the department’s activities and expressed gratitude to all doctors, nurses, health workers, and volunteers for providing continuous, dedicated health services to devotees during the Rath Yatra.
