The Hindu : National : Apollo Hospitals' initiative to provide medical care

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

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National

Apollo Hospitals' initiative to provide medical care

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, DEC. 29. The initial signs of water-borne diseases that are already apparent in the relief and rescue camps all along the coast should be controlled immediately to prevent a larger epidemic , Pratap Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals, said today.

"It is only to be expected when such large scale disaster has occurred," Dr. Reddy said. "We cannot avoid the onset of water-borne diseases in this situation. But we must take efforts to control it," he added.

The destruction of water sources by the tsunami had led to the current situation. The provision of drinking water, oral re-hydration salts and fluids to those who require them could help minimise the crisis. The hospital was consulting infectious diseases specialists to examine the various possibilities of containing the epidemic.

The Apollo group of hospitals announced that all its institutional resources would be available free of charge to those affected by the tsunami not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka. All its hospitals in Chennai, Madurai, Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam and in Sri Lanka have been alerted and asked to help victims in every possible manner.

In addition, a team of 35 members , including two ambulances, nurses and doctors have set up camps in the Nagapattinam area — in Nagoor, Velankanni and Vedaranyam — to provide medical care. Other camps have been set up in all the affected areas, where doctors have been treating victims for minor injuries . These camps are likely to continue for at least another seven days, Dr. Reddy said .

A sum of over Rs. one crore has been collected — with each member of the hospital contributing a day's salary towards the relief fund. Clothes have been piling up in the special buckets placed in the hospitals and have been distributed to the affected areas . Those who want assistance or others who want to help can call the Apollo helpline at 1600331066 or 28293982.

"The entire society has pitched in to help with the rescue efforts that the Government has launched — medical professions, nurses, private clinics, the lay public. We are all like squirrels helping to build the bridge across to Sri Lanka, responding in whatever ways we can," Dr. Reddy said.

With such co-operation, he believes that even rehabilitation work would be easier to complete. Besides, all this constructive activity would have a positive psychological effect on survivors and that the signs of restoration work will eventually wear off the post trauma depression.

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