The free medical checks conducted on 13th December covered nearly 7,000 people in Ramapuram, Pulianthope, Anakaputhur, Manali and Vyasarpadi. People traumatized by the floods that washed away their belongings will need to be counselled on how to cope with the loss, observed doctors who carried out door-to-door medical checks as part of a joint initiative by The Times of India and Apollo Hospitals for a healthy Chennai.
Over two days (12th & 13th December 2015), 10 teams of doctors covered about 13,000 patients throughout the city. Dr B M S Nagraj, CSR Head, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai said, “We have observed that the people are traumatized by the loss. In a couple of weeks, after rain subsides and normalcy resumes, the affected will need help to come to terms with the losses.”
The teams of doctors reported that there has not yet been an outbreak of diseases. People need to ensure their surroundings are clean. They should drink only boiled water, the doctors advised. “There is a possibility of an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera or typhoid. Preventive measures will need to be taken,”Dr Nagraj said.
The doctors reported that they were constantly asked by patients on how to cope with the losses. Dr Thiripan Sathish of Apollo Hospitals said, “People were less concerned about ailments. They were worried about their livelihood which has been endangered due to the floods. They will need to be counselled on how to get back on their feet without worrying too much about the loss”.
