CHENNAI: Doctors who have been manning special medical camps on fields ever since rains lashed the city, to ensure there is no outbreak of communicable diseases are suffering from a lack of basic facilities, including no transportation, no place to sit and a lack toilet facilities.
Chennai Corporation set up these special monsoon medical camps on November 16 to prevent the possible outbreak of disease after the first spell of rains lashed the city. The camps continue to be manned by doctors in several parts of the city.
“I sit in front of a house in a slum where there is no toilet facility for us. I have to hold back till the camp gets over and rush home. I even suffered a urinary tract infection a week ago,” said a lady doctor who is stationed in a camp in south Chennai.
Many doctors allege that they have to spend money out of their own pockets to commute. “I have to either take an autorickshaw or catch an MTC bus and reach the site, for which I spend my own money,” said a doctor, who is pursuing PG.
In a few of the areas in south Chennai, doctors allege, even food is not provided. “I am made to sit till 2.30 to 3 pm. Then I have to catch an autorickshaw and reach my home to have lunch,” said another doctor.
Speaking to Express, a senior officer in the health department of Chennai Corporation said that the complaints including lack of toilets and other facilities will be looked into. But the camps will continue to function for some more time.
“Because of the camps, we have been able to prevent outbreak of diseases here. So as of now, we have no plans to wind it up,” the official added.