SABARIMALA: The Government Ayurveda Hospital at Pampa is facing neglect by the Health Department authorities. While hospitals of other system of medicines such as modern medicine and homoeopathy are getting all privileges, including lakhs of funds, vehicles and other patronage from the Health Department, the ayurveda hospital is a victim of official apathy and negative attitude of the authorities concerned.
Though the hospital offers medical assistance to an average 350 persons a day, sufficient space for the functioning of the hospital remains a crying need. The hospital, which has been functioning for the past two decades, has only a meagre operating space of 200 sq feet.
During the peak Mandalam and Makaravilakku season days, the hospital is in real touble when hundreds of pilgrims who travel via the Karimala route come for treatment for slip and dislocation problems. Congested consultation enclosure and absence of separate spaces for pharmacy and medicine preparation are causing severe problems for the smooth functioning of the hospital. The hospital also lacks space for storing medicines. Medicines are now stored in the ‘so-called’ narrow bedroom of the seven-member medical team.