Mobile medical vans to prevent disease outbreak

Catering to more than 10,000 people, the mobile medical vans have been surveying the city to reach out to those in need of medical attention. Armed with basic medicines like antibiotics and TT shots, the medical vans with medical staff - both nurses and doctors - are aimed at addressing minor injuries and ailments that does not require hospitalisation. So far more than 10,000 have been treated by these mobile teams across the city, said Dr K Kolandasamy, Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine. 

“150 teams have been on this service and have made rounds across the city and other affected districts. While they have been attending to minor injuries and ailments that does not require hospitalisation, we have also chalked out focus areas in some parts inside and outside the city,” he added. Now, the focus is on extended areas like Sholinganallur, Kelambakkam on the South and areas around Ponneri, Pazhaverkadu, Ennore, Kathivakkam and Tiruvottiyur. 

“Any disaster has a varied impact across areas within a city. These areas have been marked for focused medical attention because there have been reports of cyclone-related injuries from falling roofs and trees.” A Corporation source also said that 25 shelters have been attending to the medical needs of about 1,000 people, who have been affected by the cyclone. Kolandasamy added that the vans will continue to offer doorstep medical attention. 

“These mobile vans will also help spot communicable diseases at the right time. We will be able to ensure timely treatment for the same before it assumes epidemic proportion,” he said. The officials said that 119 ambulance services were provided between Gummudipoondi and Mahabalipuram in the last two days.