The Health Department in Rudraprayag has been put on high alert after the number of devotees visiting Kedarnath Temple crossed five lakh amid a continuous increase in footfall during the ongoing pilgrimage season.
With the growing crowd of devotees, the Health Department is operating in full alert mode and is continuously providing medical assistance and emergency services to pilgrims along the yatra route.
The Health Department said around 52,000 pilgrims have been screened at Primary Health Centres and medical units so far. More than 62,000 patients have received treatment through OPD services. Medical teams deployed along the yatra route and at the shrine are offering immediate care to sick and injured pilgrims.
Regarding the arrangements, Rudraprayag Chief Medical Officer Dr Ram Prakash said a large number of pilgrims have reached Kedarnath this season, with the total footfall now touching around five lakh. He said about 52,000 pilgrims have been screened and nearly 62,000 OPD consultations have been conducted at medical facilities set up across different districts along the yatra route.
Speaking about emergency preparedness, he said ambulance services have been provided to 150 patients, while 26 critically ill pilgrims were airlifted by helicopter from the Nabh facility and other difficult locations along the route. Health teams are also maintaining continuous monitoring across the trekking stretch.
Dr Prakash said ECG-based screening has been introduced this year to detect heart-related complications among pilgrims undertaking the high-altitude journey.
He said ECG machines are being used as part of the screening process and several myocardial infarction cases have already been identified. In the past five days, nearly eight such patients were referred for treatment, with some undergoing thrombolysis while others were shifted for advanced medical care. All patients were safely evacuated from Kedarnath and nearby trekking points.
He also urged pilgrims to take necessary precautions and advised them to carefully assess weather conditions and health risks before bringing small children on the Kedarnath Yatra, as extreme cold conditions at the shrine can adversely affect their health. So he urged pilgrims to avoid bringing young children on the pilgrimage.
The CMO added that medical teams, emergency response units and screening facilities will continue to remain deployed along the yatra route to manage the increasing number of pilgrims visiting the shrine.
Also read: 38 pilgrims die due to health problems during Char Dham Yatra
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