THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All hospitals in the district are equipped to treat the fishermen who were rescued after getting stranded at sea for hours following heavy rain and strong winds.
On Friday, special wards were opened at the Medical College Hospital here. A special ICU was also opened to facilitate swift treatment. More doctors and nurses were brought in for the ICU which has two beds.
ICU deputy superintendent Dr Santhosh Kumar said hundreds of beds had have been readied in the special wards.
“Ward 9 has 10 beds, ward 22 has 20 beds, ward 18 has 15 beds and the emergency ward has 26 beds. More wards will be opened as per requirement. We are fully-equipped to handle any emergency,” Kumar said.
Several NGOs and youth fronts of political parties also gathered at the hospital to extend help to the injured. The Medical College started a helpdesk for sharing details of the injured fishermen. People can contact the helpdesk on: 0471 2528647, 0471 2528300. The monitoring cell number is: 0471 2304804.
IMA assistance sought
The Health Department has also sought the assistance of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Several doctors and ambulances have also been roped in at various hospitals in the city to handle any emergency.
Min reviews situation
Health Minister K K Shylaja on Friday said elaborate arrangements have been made at all hospitals in the city to treat the rescued fishermen who had got stuck at sea due to Ockhi. She was reviewing the arrangements after visiting the fishermen admitted to the Medical College Hospital and General Hospital. “The government shares the grief of the affected fishermen and their families.
All the hospitals in the district, including primary health centres, have been equipped with more staff to tackle any emergency situation. Out-patient units of primary health centres will function till evening,” she said. Shylaja said the government had sought the assistance of IMA and private hospitals. Thirteen relief camps, including medical camps, began operating at various centres, she said.