Lack of budget remain concerns

Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, earlier this week, had announced that a Covid-19 care centre of 1,000-bed capacity will be constructed by the health department for Kumbh Mela 2021 before January next year. While the decision was hailed by locals, apprehensions are that lack of budget and unavailability of medical and other staff will be big challenges in front of the state government in ensuring the smooth functioning of this proposed facility as well as Covid care during Kumbh.

“The district administration had announced plans to make a 500-bed fabricated Covid-19 hospital in the initial stage of lockdown but due to the lack of budget, things were not taken forward. Later, a 200-bed Covid care centre was built but only with the help of SIDCUL industries,” said RM Dobhal, a local.It was also announced on Wednesday (October 7) that private hospitals will be involved to provide healthcare facilities for pilgrims as the Mela Hospital is to be used only as a dedicated Covid-19 hospital.

The announcement to limit Mela Hospital just for Covid-19 patients/suspects has also raised concerns as some locals feel that pilgrims, seers, and Kumbh Mela officials, who might need immediate medical facilities in wards like burn unit or cardiac unit, will now have to be rushed to a private hospital and this may lead to loss of precious time.

Meanwhile, CMO Haridwar Dr Sambhu Nath Jha told TOI, “We have already made a Covid-19 care centre in Haridwar with a capacity of 200 beds. Also, several hotels are to be used for infected patients. Besides building another 1000-bed Covid-19 care centre, we will also hire some private hospitals for the Kumbh Mela. However, the serious patients will be referred to AIIMS Rishikesh or other higher centres, according to guidelines.” Notably, the government has also announced plans to build a medical college in Kankhal, Haridwar.

The Kumbh Mela will start in Haridwar from January, 2021. The fair is expected to be attended by millions of people from across the country. Seers from all 13 akharas across the country will also reach the holy town for the Kumbh Mela. – TNN