GUWAHATI:
A team of 20 doctors from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) started emergency health camps in the flood-ravaged town of Barak Valley on the morning of June 28 even as the flood situation remained critical in south Assam’s Silchar town.
As per a directive from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the GMCH doctors, who were accompanied by nurses and other health workers, launched emergency health services for the flood-affected people upon arrival in Silchar. They were joined by doctors of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) and other doctors from several hospitals in flood-free areas of the Cachar district.
“A total of 7,210 patients have been examined on the first day of the emergency health camps, with 28 health teams covering 140 locations. We will cover one week in the first phase,” said Dr MS Laxmipriya, mission director, National Health Mission (NHM), Assam.
Laxmipriya along with Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr Anup Kumar Barman has been camping in Silchar to observe the health situation of the people arising out of the recent wave of flood.
As the majority of areas of Silchar are still reeling under the flood water, the team used boats of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to reach out to the affected people. Some health camps have also been organised in high lands of the town.
“Many areas are still reeling under flood water. We are planning to have NDRF personnel reach out to these people,” said Barman.
Each team comprised two doctors, one nurse and a multipurpose worker (MPW) and an adequate stock of medicines that has been sent from Guwahati to Silchar. During the visit, the teams have to inquire if there is any seriously ill patient, and if yes, shift them to SMCH with the help of NDRF.
“On the first day, most of the patients have complained of skin problems, fever and diarrhoea,” Barman said.
Ashutosh Barman, Joint Director of Health Services, Cachar district, Babul Bezbaruah, principal, SMCH, District Programme Management Unit, health teams from GMCH and SMCH, were on the field since 6 am on Tuesday.
Few patients were found to be very sick, and these patients were taken to SMCH with the help of 108 Ambulance for further treatment.
A total of 2,05,002 people have been affected in Silchar during the recent wave of floods, which has also damaged several infrastructures.
“More than 50 boats and 250 personnel have been used in flood relief and rescue operations in Silchar,” NDRF spokesperson Amod Kumar said.
After his second visit to flood-affected Silchar on June 26, the chief minister had said that 15-20 doctors from Guwahati would be sent to the region soon. He had also instructed that a health camp be conducted in each municipal ward of the town, and also directed the health department to provide medicines to people’s houses at least for the next seven days.