AIIMS doctors attend to ailments of flood-hit in Amritsar

Teams of doctors including those from AIIMS, Delhi, and another from Fortis Hospital today set up walk-in clinics at Baba Buddha Saheb Gurudwara in Ramdass. The doctors treated patients from nearby villages while those in areas like Ghonewal and Macchiwal were reached through volunteers, mainly members of farmer unions and locals.

The doctors treated cases of skin, respiratory allergies and infections the most. “In this area, there is a surge in cases of hypertension and we also have a high incidence of diabetes. Medicines, including antibiotics, are required which we are trying to procure as we advance our scope for medical relief," said Dr Amrinder Singh Malhi, interventional radiologist, AIIMS.

Dr Malhi also said that AIIMS has launched a helpline number for Punjab flood victims, 011, which will remain operational 24x7 for telemedicine consultations. "It will make healthcare more accessible for people here to reach out to doctors from AIIMS for guidance," he said.

Dr Rakesh Sharma, a senior surgeon from Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar, and founder member of Voice of Amritsar, which is supporting on ground medical relief operations for AIIMS doctors, said that the team's medical preparedness is sufficient to cater to generic as well as chronic ailments. "We do not need ambulances in large numbers. Here, we require medicines, which we currently have sufficient stock of. But the medical camps must be continuous and mobilising more health care workers is required. Teams from Guru Nanak Dev Hospital will be coming here, as well as from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi.

Dr Harshvardhan, who is a community health specialist from AIIMS, Delhi, said that there is a high risk of water-borne diseases and so bulk stocks of anti-malarial and anti-dengue medicines is required. "Vaccinations for infants and children besides anti-histamines are also required in bulk as maximum cases reported among kids include allergies," said Dr Amita, paediatrician from AIIMS. Another challenge that the team is facing is of access. "We are trying to reach out as much as possible," said Dr Harshvardhan.

Meanwhile, a team of doctors from Fortis Healthcare and voluntary organisations including Vishav Ruhani Manav Kendra, Panchkula are running ambulance services in the area.