The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : UNICEF medical team visits Kanyakumari

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

UNICEF medical team visits Kanyakumari

By Our Staff Reporter

NAGERCOIL, JAN. 1. Medical experts from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Netherlands and Holland today visited tsunami-affected villages in the coastal areas of the Kanyakumari district to assess the damage and extend possible medical aid and other help to fishermen community. They held discussions with the Health Minister, N. Thalavai Sundaram, and the Collector, Ramesh Chand Meena.

The UNICEF would send 91 water tanks to the relief camps to provide potable water to the affected persons, said the project officer, Dipak Roy. Steps would be taken to send medicines, antibiotics, napkins and other items to the camps, said Marco Wisser of the Netherlands.

Speaking to The Hindu Mr. Thalavai Sundaram said steps had been taken to prevent the outbreak of contagious disease, if any. In Kanyakumari district, there were nine blocks in the health unit division of which five were in the coastal areas. Except one block, the remaining were affected. Among those four blocks, three were worst affected. Starting from Kanyakumari to Enayam, 29 villages were affected along the coastal line. Around 60 medical relief camps were being set up. Each medical team consisted of one medical officer, one pharmacist, two village health nurses and one hospital worker. In all 166 doctors, more than 90 health inspectors, 282 village health nurses and other supportive staff were engaged in the relief operations including the entire administrative staff members of the office of the Deputy Director of Health Services. In addition, 12 mobile medical teams were being pressed into service for on-the-spot treatment.

The Minister said that for operational convenience the affected areas were divided into five zones — Kanyakumari, Rajakkamangalam, Muttom, Colachel and Enayam. To prevent the outbreak of any disease, 15 tonnes of bleaching powder, 5,000 litres of phenyl, 20 tonnes of saturated lime were procured and distributed in different parts of the district. Medicines worth about Rs. 75 lakhs were procured. To prevent malaria, dengue and water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid and jaundice, fly and mosquito control measures were being carried out throughout the district.

So far 6,000 patients had been treated in 60 camps mostly for fever, headache, muscle pain, minor injuries and 23 diarrhoea cases.

The Health department would educate the affected on prevention of epidemic by distributing handbills.

Suspended

The Minister placed eight persons including two doctors under suspension on a charge of dereliction of duty. During a surprise check, it was found that Swamiappan of the Pudupatti Primary Health Centre near Sivakasi and Sivasubramanian of the Kottayur Primary Health Centre and six staff members failed to attend duty at the Valukkamparai Sahaya Matha relief camp.

The Government would depute 205 more doctors, 90 pharmacists, 282 village health nurses and 1,000 field workers from other district to the tsunami-affected villages to ensure round-the-clock treatment, said Mr. Thalavai Sundaram.

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