Patients make beeline for med camps for flood-related ailments

The floods brought along with it miseries—- not in terms of loss of produce or livestock alone but ailments and infections —- to receive treatment for which the patients are still making a beeline at government medical camps, organised by the district administration in Ludhiana.

Data shows that over 15,000 patients visited the camps held at 110 places in the district following the floods, which started on September 1. Though the camps were supposed to be held till September 15, seeing the number of patients, the authorities have decided to continue the medical camps till further orders.

Dr Babita, Nodal Officer, said that most patients at these camps come to get treatment for skin infections. “Over 4,700 patients came to get medicines for different skin allergies. Apart from that, about 4,400 patients were suffering from fever and from regular cold and cough. As many as 5,600 patients turned up at the medical camps to get medicines and treatment. For dengue and malaria, no patient came and they got treatment at private clinics and hospitals for both the diseases,” said Dr Babita. She also added that 600 patients with injuries also came for treatment.

Dr Pragati Verma, Assistant Commissioner (Under Training), who is supervising these medical teams and camps, told The Tribune that the camps started from September 1, immediately during the floods in Punjab, and were to be held till September 15 at 110 places in the district. But since many patients are coming for treatment on a daily basis, the district administration has decided to continue the camps for a few more days,” said Dr Verma, adding that the patients were benefitting from the camps as doctors and other paramedical staff were available at the camps.

One of the doctors at the medical camps said that in areas like Haibowal, Koomkalan, Chander Nagar etc, where residents were affected due to excessive water during floods, a huge rush of patients was witnessed. “On an average, about 40-50 patients still visit the camps on a daily basis for one ailment or the other. So, these camps are proving to be of great help to the masses,” said the doctor.