Date:22/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/22/stories/2005092217590300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Mobile medical unit reaches out to hamlets

Staff Reporter

HOSPITAL ON WHEELS: Residents of Meyyur Kuppam south of Chennai, being treated at a medical camp organised by Suradeep Hospital, in a mobile hospital unit on Wednesday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: A mobile hospital unit with boxes of medicines, 10 paramedics and a doctor left for Meyyurkuppam at Kalpakkam on Wednesday morning.

More than 300 people were screened by the team from Suradeep Hospital at its 51st health camp, said hospital chairman G. Rangaswamy.

The hospital, based in Mahabalipuram, remodelled a regular van into a fully air-conditioned hospital unit. Various cabins hold medicines, stethoscopes and even an ECG machine. "SPF44, a France-based NGO, provided us the monetary help," said Indira Gandhi.

The help came after the NGO's representatives saw the difficulties faced by the hospital authorities while trying to provide medical care to residents of coastal hamlets in the wake of the tsunami, which hit the Tamil Nadu coast last year, added Dr. Indira. The re-modelling cost Rs. 11 lakhs, said Mr. Rangaswamy. The unit, with the help of Dhan Foundation, held camps at Pudupattinam, Sadras north and south and Oyyalikuppam also.