SABARIMALA: With around seven pilgrims suffering cardiac arrest during the first four days of Sabarimala pilgrimage until Thursday, the health officials have started random checks at Sannidhanam.
According Dr O. Vasudevan, Chief Medical Officer of Sabarimala, almost all of the 30-45 annual deaths happening at Sabarimala due to cardiac arrests occur when pilgrims avoid early signs.
“Pilgrims mistakenly relate cardiac arrests with gas trouble and continue until they complete darshan. Hence, we have deployed a paramedical team near the sanctum sanctorum who look for fatigued pilgrims with symptoms of a cardiac arrest while climbing pathinettam padi.
They are checked on the spot and special darshan will be arranged before they are immediately taken to the hospital at Sannidhanam,” Dr Vasudevan said.
Out of the 50 pilgrims who were brought by the team to the hospital since its deployment during the last mandala season, 10 were found to be going through major cardiac arrests.
A cardiac care unit each functions at Pamba, Marakoottam and Sannidhanam while there are two at Appachimedu. Around 9 defribilators are available with the oxygen parlours at various locations.
The full- fledged ICU at Sannidhanam attends to the patients and they are usually transferred to Kottayam Medical College once they are out of danger.
Tips for Ayyappa devotees
Pilgrims with a history of hypertension should get themselves checked first at Pamba cardiac unit before climbing hills.
Never race with younger pilgrims while ascending hills
Get to the nearest oxygen parlour if you feel breathless or pain around chest, neck and shoulder.
If you have heart ailments, never hesitate to take a ‘dolly’ which comes for around Rs 2,000 for one way trip.
