The hospital’s emergency, trauma and disaster management department director, Dr Alwi Abdul Rahman, who is also the team head, said medical personnel would be on duty round-the-clock at the general, coordination and communication control centre located near the temple, as well as at several hot spots nearby.

“The team led by the health ministry, with the cooperation of various agencies including hospital personnel, Civil Defence Department and non-governmental organisations, are specially trained to handle emergency and trauma cases.

“We also have the support of eight ambulances stationed at the centre and hot spots which include the Gombak commuter station,” he said after a briefing to medical teams at the Batu Caves today.

Assistance and treatment for emergency cases would be provided at the coordination centre in Batu Caves while critical cases would be sent to the nearest hospital.

Dr Alwi said the centre had begun operations and would remain open until Tuesday.

Hindu devotees have begun visiting the temple to carry out religious rituals since last week in preparation for the festival tomorrow.

Thaipusam security and medical bureau director Dr A. T. Kumararajah said the bureau would raise its level of security and medical alertness to assist devotees.

Kumararajah, who is also trustee of Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, said this year would be the third where a high line would be deployed to bring down patients from the temple, which is 120 metres above ground level.

“The fire and rescue department used to bring down devotees in times of emergency, via the stairs.

“Nonetheless, we have improved safety features with this technique. which is faster as it takes less than a minute to bring down a patient from the temple,” he added.

-BERNAMA