Kerala: Health the only bright spot at Cyclone struck Chellanam

CHELLANAM : The aftershocks of Ockhi still reverberates in the hearts of Chellanam residents. Around 600 people here have been living in the St Mary’s School compound for a few days now. With fresh water scarcity looming and being left vulnerable to the sea again remaining a strong possibility, probably the only good thing the residents have had these past few days is that their health was prioritised.

With the presence of at least three doctors and 13 nurses (on rotation) in the camp, the functioning of the Chellanam Primary Health Centre (PHC) was transferred partially to the camp site. Apart from this, assistance from CSC Community Health Centre, Kumbalanghi, was also available. “If any of the residents’ condition worsens and is beyond the assistance that can be provided at the camp, we have an ambulance service at hand," said PHC Medical Officer Shyna S.

"Apart from the current staff strength, we will have 10 new junior health inspectors joining us tomorrow (Tuesday) to help in the health as well as cleanliness aspects.”  Usha J, a junior public health nurse, said there were some cases of fever.

"They were caused by fear and tension. The patients are fine now. No case of communicable disease has been reported yet. Two teenagers had diarrhoea. Now, no one has showed any signs of the same." The water used in the camp is brought in tankers and are used to cook food too. All possible measures are being taken to stop the outbreak of communicable diseases. Marykutty Francis, 74, has lost a part of her house to the disaster along with most material for daily use. Living in the camp, she gripped her medicine package as she spoke to Express.  "They are taking care of us and we have the medicines," she said.

"They don't let us eat food from outside. Everything is prepared here and water is also boiled properly. We are thankful for the care but our ultimate demand remains safety and security. Once we get out of the camp, we will be left to fend for ourselves and battle the nature too. At my age, that is near impossible. I am still in shock remembering what happened to my house and what could have happened to all of us."