Kodagu: Health department will send psychiatrists to counsel flood-hit

Bengaluru: Health officials of Kodagu are counselling people, who have lost their homes and plantations to the devastating floods and landslides in the district to help them overcome the trauma. "They are very disturbed as many saw their houses disappearing under debris and the devastation caused. More than medicine what they need is a healing touch. Psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors are working in all 41 relief centres across the district to help them overcome the shock," reveals Dr Rajesh Suggehalli, district health and family welfare officer, Kodagu.

Although the district administration has provided television sets to the relief centers in an effort to provide a diversion, the people are reportedly going into depression seeing the channels broadcasting the holocaust in Kodagu round- the- clock. And so the department has requested it to provide LCD screens and projectors to show wholesome movies without scenes of violence and natural disasters. It is also hoping spiritual leaders will come forward to hold discourses at the relief centres to help the victims of the disaster, according to Dr Sugehalli.

He says the immediate task before the health department is to clear the stagnant water in all the flooded villages and check the outbreak of epidemics by massive fogging and spraying of chemicals. Wells in all the affected villages are being drained to prevent people from consuming the dirty water and the spread of water-borne diseases. Water is being chlorinated in all villages and people are being asked to drink only boiled and cooled water.

The DHO adds that people at the relief centres are being screened for blood pressure and diabetes to provide them with proper healthcare. "There is no shortage of medicine as the state government has ensured adequate supply of important drugs from both Mysuru and Hassan. Another big load of medicines is expected to arrive in Madikeri in the next two to three days," he assures.