Edamalakkudy residents carry another patient on bamboo stretcher

On Friday, yet another individual from Edamalakkudy had to be transported to a medical facility using a bamboo stretcher, according to Edamalakkudy panchayat president Binu M. The patient, 50-year-old Poomani from Meenkuthikudy, was carried over 5 km to reach the Societykudy hospital. Poomani had been experiencing a fever for several days before her condition worsened on Friday.

Locals constructed a bamboo structure, covered Poomani with a plastic sheet to protect her from the rain, and carried her through dense forest for more than 5 km before she was admitted to the Societykudy government hospital. The absence of a permanent bridge over the Manaliyar River forces residents to navigate makeshift bamboo bridges, such as the one used to cross Njavalpalam, which restricts access and isolates tribal settlements in the area.

Earlier this week, 75-year-old Malayappan from Koodallarkudy had to be carried over 10 km on a makeshift bamboo stretcher through dense forest to reach Mankulam, where his condition deteriorated. Tribal Affairs Minister K.A. Thulasi subsequently sought an urgent report from the Adimaly tribal development officer following the incident.

In August 2025, 5-year-old Karthik contracted a severe fever and had to be carried by his family on a stretcher for several kilometers to reach Mankulam hospital. Unfortunately, the child did not survive. The following day, his family had to carry his coffin back to their settlement on foot. Just a day later, Rajakanni, his grandmother, fell ill with a high fever and had to be transported to Mankulam on a bamboo stretcher, surviving the journey.

The persistent lack of road connectivity and basic infrastructure in the area routinely delays emergency medical care for tribal communities, residents noted.