Kochi: The Indian Medical Association-Kochi branch, with the support of BPCL Kochi and South Indian Bank, is reaching out to the population battling illnesses in the aftermath of the August floods by conducting camps in some of the affected areas and providing free followup treatment to over 1,500 patients selected in the camps. The whole exercise, being funded by the three organizations, costs Rs 2 crore.
The medical camps have so far been conducted in Kothad and Vypeen in Ernakulam district, Manathavady in Wayanad, Adimali in Idukki and Chengannur in Alappuzha. It will be held after the general elections in Kumarakom in Kottayam and Kanjoor in Ernakulam. Manathavady which witnessed participation of the maximum number of 8,000 people had another followup camp too. In other flood-hit areas 3,500 to 5,000 people attended each camp.
"A team of 70 doctors drawn from Kochi hospitals including the Ernakulam General Hospital along with nurses and paramedical staff drawn from different parts conducted the camps from January onwards and 1,500 patients in need of followup treatment including procedures like angioplasty and surgeries were identified. They will be provided free followup treatment including surgeries," said Dr Junaid Rehman, president, IMA-Kochi chapter.
He said that the camps had facilities for all tests and CT and MRI scans. "We had support of local IMA units and the hospitals in the areas apart from the respective district medical officers. We are devoting revenue from cultural programmes conducted by us also for supporting the treatment," said Dr Junaid Rehman.
