Kerala - Kochi   

Roads come under IMA scanner

KOCHI: The deteriorating condition of roads in the State has forced people to seek refuge in orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists to get back to shape.

Cases of back ache, and injuries to the head, shoulder and wrists have been showing a steep increase during the past few months in hospitals across the State, said C.K. Chandrasekharan, State president of the Indian Medical Association. “While many patients come seeking treatment from the outpatient wing of hospitals, there are others who have to be admitted to the inpatient wing, to get prolonged treatment,” he said.

About a week ago, an aged woman suffered serious injuries after she hit the roof of the vehicle and fell on to the floor when the bus she was travelling in fell into a huge pothole.

Close on the heels of studying the spread of contagious diseases, the association will embark on a mission to collect data on how pathetic roads have been causing an increase in orthopaedic ailments. Dr. Chandrasekharan said that the State working committee meeting held recently came down heavily on agencies such as the Public Works Department which have failed in maintaining roads in motorable condition. “Bad roads have become a health hazard for all, resulting in an increase in the number of accidents. Moreover, the poor maintenance of roads and drains has caused water logging, making conditions favourable for the breeding of mosquitoes that spread diseases.”

He urged the government to tackle the issue on a war-footing, since bad roads aggravate or cause back ache, cervical spondilosis, etc.,. “Patients being rushed to hospitals in ambulances and other vehicles are the worst affected. Pregnant women and those having heart problems too have a harrowing time travelling through back-breaking roads,” he said.

These are in addition to road rage (motorists losing their temper), which worsens when they try to negotiate bad patches or get caught in snarls. People using public transport are among the worst hit, said Tiji Mathew Thomas, physiotherapist at a private hospital in Kochi. “Many bus passengers have been complaining of severe pain to the shoulder and wrists, because of drivers applying sudden brakes frequently on encountering potholes. ,” he said.

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