PATNA: Health minister Nishant Kumar on Thursday ordered strict compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms in Shravani Mela areas and asked devotees to avail themselves of health camp services or call the 104 helpline in case of any medical emergency.Extending his wishes to pilgrims arriving from across India and abroad for darshan and jalabhishek of Lord Shiva, Nishant said the state govt is committed to ensuring a safe, smooth and healthy pilgrimage. “The health, safety and convenience of devotees remain our highest priority,” he said, adding that the health department would maintain round-the-clock monitoring throughout the mela period.To tackle medical emergencies, the govt has set up special health camps in 16 districts, including Banka, Bhagalpur, Munger, Jamui, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Vaishali, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Rohtas, Madhubani, Madhepura, Samastipur and Siwan.The camps have been equipped with beds and staffed by doctors, nurses and paramedics to provide round-the-clock services. Facilities include primary consultation and treatment, free blood pressure and blood sugar screening, free distribution of essential medicines, and 102 ambulance services for emergency transportation.The health department emphasised that maintaining food hygiene is crucial to preventing waterborne and foodborne diseases among devotees during the mela.
