THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move that could have had far-reaching political and social implications, the health department told the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) that it can no longer shoulder the responsibility of deploying doctors and paramedical staff for the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage.
However, the government moved swiftly to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation and relieved Dr K J Reena of her responsibilities as director of health services (DHS), after details of the letter she wrote to TDB began to emerge on Friday. Citing an acute shortage of medical personnel and mounting financial constraints, the DHS asked the TDB to make its own arrangements for appointing doctors and paramedical staff for the pilgrimage season.
When contacted, Health Minister K Muraleedharan, who also holds Devaswom portfolio, told TNIE that “everything will continue as it is”, indicating that existing arrangements for Sabarimala pilgrimagehealthcare services would remain unchanged. “The DHS is not empowered to take such decisions. Policy decisions on behalf of the government are taken by health minister,” he said.
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“Strict action will be initiated against officials who act beyond their mandate or take such erroneous decisions,” Muraleedharan added.
With Sabarimala temple set to open for the monthly pooja on June 15, the brewing dispute over doctors’ deployment had cast a shadow over healthcare arrangements at the hill shrine.
In her May 20, 2026 letter, Reena stated that the health department deploys a massive workforce for Sabarimala every pilgrimage season, drawing over 500 doctors, 300 nursing officers and over 800 other personnel from districts across the state. An additional 100 staff members are deputed from the medical education department. Even during monthly poojas, a 20-member medical team is stationed at the hill shrine.
Healthcare services are currently provided at Sannidhanam, Pampa, Appachimedu, Neelimala, Nilakkal, Charalmedu and Erumeli. The letter also highlighted the strain on healthcare personnel deputed for Sabarimala duty. Staff members are required to work demanding shifts lasting 7-10 days, often under difficult conditions. Complaints regarding inadequate food and accommodation facilities are common, while delays in disbursing travel allowances add to their grievances. Reena noted that the diversion of doctors and other medical personnel for pilgrimage duty adversely affects patient care and service delivery in hospitals across the state.
In her letter, the DHS said the annual deployment of health personnel for Sabarimala was causing a significant strain on both manpower and finances. Pointing out that medical services are required at the pilgrimage centre for nearly 150 days a year, she argued that the only sustainable solution was the appointment of dedicated healthcare personnel. The Travancore Devaswom Board, she said, should take steps to recruit its own doctors, nurses and other support staff to ensure uninterrupted medical services at Sabarimala.
Meanwhile, a TDB official said, “Around 150 cases of cardiac episodes are reproted during the season and nearly 27% turn fatal. Without doctors and paramedical staff at the site, live could be at risk.”