Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120154110400.htm

Kerala - Pathanamthitta

Pampa dispensary to be upgraded

Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA: The seasonal government dispensary at Pampa would be upgraded to a permanent hospital in a time-bound manner, said Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy.

Ms. Sreemathy, accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar and District Medical Officer Aysha Bai, was reviewing the health-care facility at the government dispensary at Pampa in the foothills of Sabarimala on Sunday.

Talking to reporters at Pampa, she said the Health department was also planning to construct a three-storey hospital block at Pampa before the next pilgrim season.

The Health Department would also seek clearance, if needed, from the Forest Department for undertaking the development work at Pampa, she said. The Minister said thrust would be given to the cardiology department at the

proposed hospital at Pampa. Ms. Sreemathy said there were plans to expand the operation theatre at the Sannidhanam. She said the government had also decided to improve facilities at the Ayurveda as well as Homoeo dispensaries at the Sanidhanam soon.

A meeting of Health authorities to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31, 2009, is expected to finalise the development schemes for Sabarimala, she added.

The Minister also visited the pilgrims’ base camps at Erumely and Nilackal.