Nashik: Health Arrangements For Simhastha Kumbh To Be Ready By December, Says Minister Prakash Abitkar

Nashik: A large number of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela next year. Against this backdrop, State Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar directed the Public Health Department to work proactively and ensure that all healthcare arrangements for devotees are ready by December.

A review meeting regarding the Health Department's preparations was held this afternoon at the Kumbh Mela Authority office. Chaired by Minister Abitkar, the meeting was attended by MP Rajabhau Waje; MLAs Devyani Farande, Saroj Ahire, and Hiraman Khoskar; Deputy Mayor Vilas Shinde; Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council President Triveni Tungar; Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh; District Collector Ayush Prasad; Zilla Parishad CEO Omkar Pawar; Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Kapil Aher; Authority Additional Commissioner Kamlakar Randive; District Health Officer Dr Sudhakar More; and Medical Officer Dr Anant Pawar, among others.

Minister Abitkar stated that the Health Department, through the Authority, has formulated a plan for the devotees. He instructed that necessary equipment and medicine stocks be kept ready in advance, keeping the expected number of devotees in mind, and emphasised the need to ensure that devotees face no inconvenience. He further directed that pending works in certain government hospitals be completed on a 'mission mode' basis so that all hospitals are fully operational and ready for inauguration by December.

The number of ambulances in the district will be increased, and necessary support will be provided to ensure the availability of manpower during the Kumbh Mela. He also advised establishing proper coordination by enlisting the cooperation of medical institutions and organisations.

Public awareness regarding flu vaccination for devotees should be raised, and planning should be undertaken to ensure comprehensive care for citizens' health. Additionally, a separate ward for burn patients, utilising modern technology, should be made operational, and treatment protocols must be clearly defined. Care must be taken to ensure that patients from Trimbakeshwar and the surrounding areas do not face any inconvenience. Instructions were issued to continue operating the OPD in the current building as needed and to identify an alternative site for the new hospital.

Commissioner Shekhar Singh stated that the Municipal Corporation, the District Civil Surgeon, and the Zilla Parishad’s Health Department have jointly prepared an expenditure plan of ₹254 crore for the Kumbh Mela preparations. Approximately 3,500 personnel will be required during this period, and planning for this is currently underway. New ambulances and medical equipment are set to be procured. Health teams will be deployed at riverbanks, Sadhugram (saints' encampment), parking areas, and crowded locations.

District Collector Ayush Prasad provided information regarding highway accidents and safety measures. Deputy Director Dr Aher presented a detailed review of the Health Department's preparations. MP Rajabhau Waje, MLAs Farande and Ahire, and Deputy Mayor Shinde expressed expectations regarding the completion of the women's hospital construction, the operationalization of various facilities at the Divisional Referral Hospital, the commencement of kidney-related treatments, increasing cold storage capacity, keeping the Trimbakeshwar hospital operational, activating the trauma care center, enhancing medicine supplies, continuing health services even after the Parvani (auspicious bathing) period, and making CT scan facilities available at government hospitals.