Seventy-year-old Rajendra Singh's first trip to Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace for Prakash Utsav began on the wrong note when he felt pain in his chest even before alighting from his train at Patna Sahib railway station.

He feared that for his group of 20, comprising friends and relatives, the pilgrimage would turn into a medical tour. But doctors at the Bypass tent city put an end to his worries. After examining him and administering preliminary medicines, they referred him to Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (PMCH).

The medical facilities Bihar government and various Sikh trusts are providing at the three tent cities - Bypass, Kangan Ghat and Gandhi Maidan - are of great help to the pilgrims, especially the elderly. "My relatives panicked after I complained of chest pain," Rajendra said. "But thanks to facilities at the tent city, we didn't face any problems."

Like Rajendra, around 800 to 900 persons are receiving medical assistance at the two health camps at the Bypass tent city. "Around 450 to 500 persons are provided medical assistance daily at each heath camp," said Anand Kumar Jha, medical officer in-charge of one of the tent city health camps. "Over 2,200 people have been provided assistance since December 29."

Most people coming to the camps complain of blood pressure, increased sugar level, asthma, heart diseases, cough, cold, and fever. Twelve doctors and 20 para medics are working round the clock, in shifts, at the two health camps, attached to two hospitals.

The medical camp-cum-first aid centres set up by Sikh philanthropic organisations are also of great help. The Khalsa Rain Sabai Free Medical Camp has dropped anchor at the Kangan Ghat tent city. Many are turning up at the camp. They generally come for gastric pain or indigestion. "We are providing free medicines to devotees and visitors to the tent city," said Suba Singh, a pharmacist at the medical camp. "We provide both ayurvedic and allopathic medicines. The digestive churan has become a hit."

Some devotees complained of the 3km-trudge from Patna Sahib railway station to Kangan Ghat tent city given their rheumatism. But the acupressure treatment provided at the camp has been of help.

Dr Guiender Singh, a Punjab government physician assisting the Khalsa Rain Sabai Free Medical Camp, said: "We are giving medicines for minor cough and cold, fever, blood pressure, asthma, rheumatism and even heart diseases."