Shatrughan Prasad
Deoghar
A high-level review meeting of the Health Department was held under the chairmanship of Irfan Ansari, Minister of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, Disaster Management, and Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs Departments, to ensure the successful, smooth, and safe conduct of Rajkiya Shravani Mela 2026.
During the meeting, detailed arrangements were reviewed to provide uninterrupted, round-the-clock, quality health services to lakhs of devotees and Kanwariyas coming from across the country and abroad, along with epidemic prevention measures. Necessary directions were issued to concerned officials and the Health Department team.
Minister Irfan Ansari said, “In the Rajkiya Shravani Mela, full care will be taken of the health facilities and safety of devotees and Kanwariyas coming from across the country and abroad. It is the resolve of the state government that no devotee coming to Baba Baidyanath Dham should face any health-related problem. For this, 24-hour deployment of doctors and paramedical staff, adequate availability of medicines, and prompt ambulance services have been ensured across the entire mela area and Kanwaria route. The Health Department will remain fully committed and dedicated to serving the devotees of Baba with complete sensitivity and alertness.”
Deputy Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Bhuvania briefed the meeting about the health arrangements made by the district administration. He informed that 35 health camps will be operated across the entire mela area. Out of these, 32 health centres will function round-the-clock (24 hours), with doctors, paramedical staff, oxygen cylinders, essential medicines, and ambulance services available at all times.
Additionally, three health centres at Tapovan, Khargadiha, and Trikut Pahar will operate for 12 hours daily as per requirement. Additionally, bed arrangements will be made at temporary mela hospital (Old Sadar Hospital, Deoghar): 50 beds, New Sadar Hospital: 100 beds, 10-bed camps at major halting points: Dumma, B.Ed. College, Kumaiitha, and Nehru Park.
Apart from these in case of emergency preparedness, 50 beds with full resources have been reserved at both New and Old Sadar Hospitals for any accident or disaster.
Coordination has been established with major private hospitals, nursing homes, and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to ensure 100 additional emergency backup beds.
A special 20-bed Diarrhoea Ward has been prepared on the ground floor of the Eye Hospital at Old Sadar Hospital, keeping in mind weather conditions.
Two special sanitation teams will remain active for continuous cleanliness, bleaching powder, and lime spraying to prevent epidemics. Three flying squads of food inspectors have been deployed to ensure hygienic food and prevent adulteration.
