Edamalakkudy resident carried on foot for over 5 km to nearest health facility

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Tribespeople carry a patient on a makeshift bamboo stretcher across the Manaliyar river to reach the hospital at Edamalakkudy in Idukki on Saturday (August 22, 2026). | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Lack of proper road connectivity continues to force residents of Edamalakkudy tribal panchayat in Idukki, Keralam, to carry patients from the settlements on bamboo stretchers for kilometres through dense forests and rivers for medical care.

On Saturday (August 22, 2026), Rajathi, a 33-year-old resident of the Keezhvalayamparakudy settlement, who developed high fever and chest pain had to be carried on a bamboo stretcher for more than 5 km, crossing the Manaliyar river, to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Edamalakkudy. She was then referred to the Adimaly Taluk Hospital for advanced treatment.

Tribespeople carry a patient on a makeshift bamboo stretcher across the Manaliyar river to reach the hospital at Edamalakkudy in Idukki on Saturday (August 22, 2026). | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

According to the residents, this is the third such incident in a month.

On August 12, 75-year-old Malayappan from the Koodallarkudy settlement had to be carried for around 10 km through the dense forest to Mankulam before being shifted to the Adimaly Taluk Hospital. On August 14, 50-year-old Poomani of Meenkuthikudy had to be carried to the primary health facility at Societykudy on a makeshift stretcher following high fever.

Similar incidents occurred last year as well. On August 21, 2025, five-year-old Karthik developed high fever, forcing his family to trek through the forest carrying him on a stretcher to the Mankulam hospital. As the child did not survive, the family members had to carry his coffin back to the settlement on foot. In September 2025, Karthik’s grandmother, Rajakanni, also fell ill and had to be transported to Mankulam on a bamboo stretcher.

Edamalakkudy panchayat president Binu M. said that residents had been facing this ordeal for years. “The lack of a bridge at Njaval across the Manaliyar river cuts off vehicular access to several settlements, forcing people to carry patients for kilometers,” Mr Binu said. “Constructing a bridge across the Manaliyar river will connect the settlements of Iruppukallu, Meenkuthi, Nenmanal, Keezpatham, Keezhvalayampara, and Melvalayampara to Societykudy.”

He added that building another bridge across the Njandar river would ensure connectivity to the Nooradi and Parappayar settlements. “The lack of proper roads and bridges is severely affecting timely medical care for the tribal community,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the District Development Committee meeting held in Idukki on Saturday, Public Works Department (PWD) officials said the contractor had agreed to begin road construction work in Edamalakkudy after Onam. Officials added that the work was scheduled to be completed before December.

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