The state health department has asked deputy commissioners and civil surgeons to ensure round-the-clock medical service during Holi.

“We have asked all deputy commissioners and civil surgeons to ensure that all private and state-owned hospitals are not only open but also have adequate number of doctors and paramedics to deal with cases of patients suffering from skin or other problems during the Holi festivity. Adequate medicines should be available in all the hospitals,” said Nitin Madan Kulkarni, principal secretary health.

Sources in the health department said the advisory was necessary, as there is a tendency among health centres especially in rural areas and city outskirts, to close the facilities during the festivity.

“The advisory is meant to direct all hospital in-charges to ensure adequate number of specialists, especially skin, to tackle emergencies, as there could be people suffering from skin problems, while playing Holi. In addition, there have been incidents of drunken brawls or mishaps because of drink driving and hospitals should be ready to handle such cases,” said a health department official.

The advisory has also asked hospitals to ensure ambulances during emergency.

In view of the novel coronavirus scare, the health secretary has also issued an appeal to the masses to avoid attending community events during Holi to prevent contracting viruses.

Health minister Banna Gupta, who is also the Jamshedpur West MLA, on Friday evening issued a directive to East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Ravi Shankar Shukla and senior superintendent of police Anoop Birtharay to ensure proper medical facility at all government and private hospitals in Jamshedpur during Holi.

The directive also asks local police to be vigilant to curb law and order issues on the pretext of Holi revelry.

Jusco spokesperson Sukanya Das on Friday said they would issue an advisory to all their employees and residents in their flats and complexes to avoid wasting water and playing Holi with synthetic colours. “We will issue the advisory on Saturday in all our establishments and residential colonies,” the spokesperson said.