CHENNAI: The foundation stone laying ceremony of a 25-bed unit in the Voluntary Health Services (VHS) hospital in Taramani was held on VHS premises on Thursday. The new block would be exclusively utilised for the treatment of fishing families.

The new unit is funded by Terra Tech, Germany, through the Catalyst Trust, as an extension of their post-tsunami rehabilitation programme.

Apart from constructing houses, providing fishing boats and nets and alternative livelihoods for the women of the fishing community, Terra Tech had decided to set up a hospital , Gangolf Seitz, its founder chairman, said.

The cost of the hospital was 1.25 crore and it would share its infrastructure with the VHS, which would also provide medical and para medical personnel. A further sum would also be deposited with Catalyst Trust as an endowment fund and the interest so generated would be used for the maintenance of the unit.

Key lessons

R. Santhanam, Special Commissioner, Disaster Relief, said among the key lessons learnt during the tsunami was the fact that everyone would have to work together.

Post-tsunami, a number of NGOs, the government and individuals had helped the community get back on its feet.

Mr. Santhanam also stressed the importance of spreading awareness about disaster preparedness and training the locals at the first response after a disaster or during an emergency.

N.S. Murali, secretary, VHS, promised medical support to the members of the fishing communities, who had gathered in the city for the function.

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