Kochi: The devastating flood has left many primary health centres (PHC) in the state non-functional at a time when the flood-victims live in fear of outbreak of epidemics. But the people of Eloor in Kochi are lucky as a 23-member Army Medical Corps team, which includes three doctors, from Secunderabad has stepped in at the right time and set up a temporary PCH in a tie-up with the Eloor municipality.
The team is equipped with vital medical equipment including portable resuscitators (ventilator), oxygen concentrators (an equipment that takes in air directly from atmosphere and purifies it for use by patients), defibrillators and a portable laboratory.
"The medical camp at Manjummal will function till the PHC is restored," said Capt. (Dr) R. Gowtham Varma. “We're providing free medical service to all. Our main aim is to prevent leptospirosis (rat fever) for which we're providing preventive medicines to all who come to our camp. We've also asked the Eloor municipality to provide the same to all in flood affected areas. For this, special squads will visit houses and institutions."
A building provided by the Eloor municipality was turned into a medical centre which a resuscitation room (casualty), minor operation theatre and pharmacy. Ernakulam district medical officer Dr N.K. Kuttapan visited the medical camp.
