In Maha Kumbh significant move to ensure the safety and well-being of millions of devotees, pilgrims, and visitors expected at the 2025 Maha Kumbh, approximately ₹125 crore has been allocated for 18 health-related projects. The funds will be used to enhance medical facilities both within and around the Kumbh Mela area.
Upgrading Existing Health Infrastructure
The allocated budget will be directed towards upgrading hospitals within the mela area, city limits, and all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) along routes leading to the fair. These upgrades will include the installation of advanced medical technology to improve service quality.
According to Mela Akhikari (Kumbh) Vijay Kiran Anand, “Eighteen health-related projects are underway in Prayagraj district with an estimated cost of around ₹125 crore. To date, ₹41.73 lakh have been released by the government for health-related work, with an additional ₹57.97 lakh approved for release soon.”
Establishment of Temporary Hospitals
A key aspect of the health infrastructure upgrade involves the establishment of 43 temporary hospitals within the mela area. These facilities are designed to provide immediate medical attention to the large influx of visitors. A total of 380 beds will be available in these temporary hospitals, including a 100-bed central hospital, two 25-bed sub-central hospitals, two 20-bed infectious disease hospitals, and eight 20-bed hospitals across different sectors of the mela.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Mishra, Joint Director (Health), stated, “The Kumbh Mela area has been divided into 25 sectors, necessitating the setup of 43 temporary hospitals with 380 beds in the mela campus. This includes various specialized hospitals to address different health needs.”
In addition, 10 first aid posts with one bed each and 20 outpatient health posts will be strategically placed at parking lots, stalls, and other locations to provide immediate assistance. A budget of ₹14.25 lakh has been allocated for these first aid and outpatient posts.
Upgrades to City Hospitals
The state government has initially allocated ₹28 crore for the upgrade of four major hospitals in the city. These hospitals include:
- Motilal Nehru Hospital (Colvin)
- Tej Bahadur Sapru (Beli) Hospital
- State Tuberculosis Hospital, Teliyarganj
- District Women’s Hospital (Dufferin)
These hospitals will reserve a total of 305 beds for devotees, with 50 beds specifically allocated for female devotees at the Dufferin Hospital during the 2025 Maha Kumbh.
Emergency Medical Services
To ensure effective management of medical emergencies, the allocation includes provisions for ambulances and disaster management. Specifically, ₹13.73 lakh will be used for ambulances, biomedical waste management, mortuary vehicles, disaster management, and administrative expenses. This includes:
- 125 road ambulances
- 20 river ambulances
- 1 air ambulance
The health authorities have made special arrangements to ensure that emergency medical services are available round-the-clock. In total, 407 doctors, including gynecologists, will be deployed at the mela hospitals. The staff will include 182 nurses, 150 ward boys, 354 pharmacists, and 60 lab technicians.
Focus on Female Devotees and Specialized Care
Special attention is being given to female devotees, with three shifts of 48 female doctors available at the mela hospitals. A labor room will also be set up at the central hospital to cater to the needs of pregnant women. Additionally, a team of 40 specialist doctors will be present to provide expert care.
Vector-Borne Disease Control and Other Health Measures
A significant portion of the budget, approximately ₹10 crore, will be allocated to control vector-borne diseases within the mela area. This includes measures to manage and mitigate the risks of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and other vectors.
Furthermore, ₹12.73 lakh will be allocated for the procurement of food, surgical items, and local medicines for patients admitted to the hospitals. Upgrading 12 CHCs, 2 PHCs, a post-mortem house, and a drug warehouse along the routes to the mela area will also be funded, with ₹21.24 lakh allocated for these improvements.
The comprehensive health infrastructure plan for the 2025 Maha Kumbh reflects a commitment to providing world-class medical services for the massive gathering. With significant investments in temporary hospitals, emergency services, and specialized care, the efforts aim to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees.
The coordinated approach involving multiple health facilities and specialized teams underscores the importance of preparing for such a large-scale event, ensuring that health services are accessible and efficient for everyone present.
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