Chennai: Health department readies safety measures ahead of new year

CHENNAI: State health department has announced various precautionary measures ahead of new year and has made special arrangements at government hospitals in the city to tackle emergency situations. Announcing special measures taken by the department,  health minister C Vijaybhaskar said that 108-ambulance service has been provided at 51 places across the city including hotels, shopping malls, and worship places. Extra staff has been deployed at 108 call center and government hospitals to tackle emergency situations. The department has deployed 34 four-wheeler and 12 two-wheeler ambulances at various hotspots in the city, he said.

Greater Chennai Corporation and city traffic police have also joined hands with the health department to implement these measures. Medical directors are supervising the emergency teams at government hospitals in the city. “Two emergency teams have been formed at Kilpauk Medical College, while four emergency teams are operational at Royapettah Government Hospital to tackle any emergency conditions that may arise. Duty officers along with the emergency teams will be available for services 24/7,” said Dr P Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. Hospital authorities at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Stanley Medical College and Hospital have also deployed extra personnel to provide emergency services.