VARANASI: To provide medical aid to pilgrims during holy month of Shrawan, district health department will set up health booths from July 29 to August 19.

According to chief medical officer, Dr MP Chaurasia, as per the directives of district magistrate, Pranjal Yadav, the booths will be at different places on every Monday of Shrawan month (July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19), the Last Friday of Ramzaan month (August 2) and Eid-ul-Fitr (August 9) in order to provide first aid and medical care to outstation devotees, Kanwariyas and locals who face any health trouble. Additional CMO, Dr BB Singh has been made nodal officer for these health booths, he informed.

For Shrawan Monday, team of doctors, pharmacist and para medical staff will be deployed at Chitranajan Park, Godowlia crossing, Lahurabir-Chetganj road, Cantonment Railway Station, Shool Tankeshwar Mahadev temple, Markandey Mahadev temple, Durgakund. The duty for the Shrawan Monday will begin from Sunday night itself as heavy rush of pilgrims gets queued up to offer Jalabhishek in and around the temples. At least six doctors will be deployed near Kashi Vishwanath temple premises who would be rendering service in three different shifts. Special health arrangements will be made at Sigra, Lat Bairo, Nai Sarak and Bhelupur areas for the last Friday of Ramzaan and Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to Dr Chaurasia, six ambulances will also be made available at different spots. The places where ambulances will be shall be procured with at least 10 stretchers, oxygen cylinders, bandages, ointments and all general medicines, he added.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 23, 2013.