When a hospital reached out to the marooned

Road connectivity was disrupted. People struggled for food and water in several places. Help came from several quarter instantly. Several thousands rushed food and other assistance to the flood- affected.

A multi speciality hospital at Neelankarai, East Coast Road, Chennai, had turned into a temporary relief centre offering medical care, shelter and food to the flood- hit. The K.L Multi Speciality (KLMS) Hospital provided shelter and food to a large number of people affected by the deluge. Over 200 persons, mostly elders, were accommodated in the hospital for nearly 20-days with food and medical care.

Vidhya Chakravarthi, CEO, Sai Charan Old Age Home, Sholinganallur, said as flood water entered the ground floor of the Home on December 1, 60 inmates were moved to the first floor of the building. As per the Navy’s suggestion, they were kept in the Home for two days. Three days later, they were rescued by the Navy personnel and taken to KLMS hospital in a bus.

Besides, medical care, they were provided shelter and food in the hospital. Later, we began contacting the relatives of the inmates over phone. A few days later, some of their siblings and relatives reached the hospital and took them home. Many inmates resided in the hospital for nearly 20 days and left for the Home on Friday.

Similarly, inmates from Joswin and Vishavanath Old Age homes in the surrounding areas were also provided shelter in the hospital. The hospital also offered food and accommodation to the flood affected people in the nearby areas for a few days.

Speaking to DC, V. Neelavathi, 87, an inmate of Sai Charan Old Age Home said, “we came to the hospital when flood water entered the Home. We stayed in the hospital for nearly 20 days. The hospital provided food and medical help to the elders.”

Speaking about the impromptu assistance, Lalitha Kishore said, “On November 31, hospital workers residing in the area informed us that flood water had entered their houses and sought alternate accommodation for the time being. We decided to offer a floor in the hospital and encourage them to come along with their family members and neighbours.

“Soon, we realised that the situation was far more serious than we thought. We heard all bad news about death of people and residential colonies being cut off from other parts of the city due to the flood.

“Power was disrupted severely. Commuting became a major hurdle. Soon we decided to connect with our friends and well wishers. Our hospital phone numbers were flashed in help line in portals.

“Calls began pouring from across the country and from abroad. We received a number of calls from people frantically searching for their relatives and loved ones. We helped many callers.”

A resident from Tiruvannamalai came forward to provide diesel for the hospital genset. With the help of the fuel, we could run the hospital without any interruption and 24 hour kitchen. Besides the relief work, we have also treated a number of patients. All our staff and duty doctors stayed back to support the cause of the flood affected victims, she added.