Telangana’s Health Department has deployed an extensive medical support network in and around Medaram ahead of the hugely attended Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara pilgrimage, ensuring round-the-clock healthcare services for devotees.
As part of the preparedness plan, the government has established a main 50-bed hospital — the Sri Sammakka Saralamma Medical Centre — at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam site in Medaram. In addition, two six-bed mini-hospitals have been set up near Jumpanna Vagu and at the English Medium School, with 30 additional medical camps in the surrounding area to cater to pilgrims’ health needs.
To bridge service gaps along major pilgrim routes, authorities have also established 42 en-route medical camps across eight key approaches to Medaram. The highest concentration of camps is along the Hanumakonda–Medaram route, followed by sectors coming from Chhattisgarh and Bhadrachalam.
The state has mobilised a large medical workforce for the event, with 3,199 personnel deployed. This includes 544 doctors — among them 72 specialists and 42 women doctors — and 2,150 paramedical staff such as nurses, auxiliary nurse-midwives and ASHA workers, operating in shifts to provide continuous services.
To handle emergencies such as cardiac events and accidents, 35 ambulances have been positioned across the Jatara area, with plans to transfer serious cases to Mulugu Government General Hospital or Warangal’s MGM Hospital, both of which will maintain 24-hour medical teams throughout the festival period.
The health department has also pre-stocked 248 types of essential medicines and surgical supplies, from paediatric drugs to anti-snake-bite injections, to prevent shortages during peak pilgrim movement. Officials said all medical camps and facilities will be fully operational from January 25, when large crowds are expected.
The measures were reviewed in a video conference chaired by Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, who instructed officials to ensure seamless medical coverage from the time devotees begin their journey to Medaram until they return home.
