Thiruvananthapuram: Poonthura residents welcome swab testing team with flowers bouquets

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The residents of Poonthura made up for the misdemeanor of a few persons against the medical team by showering flowers and cheering the doctors to the testing centre on Sunday.
Sample collection had to be halted at Poonthura which has been declared a critical containment zone since Friday as people took to streets and vented out their anger on a medical team who were on their way to swab collection centre.
While the Poonthura residents were forced to mark their protests owing to non-availability of essential food items and ill-treatment at first line treatment centres, things got out of control when a few persons reportedly spat at the medical team inside the car. The incident triggered strong sentiments against the residents who have already been badly affected by the pandemic.
On Sunday, residents stood on terrace of the house and on the side way and showered flowers on the vehicle carrying the medical team to the testing centre. The team were also greeted with bouquets and the vicar spoke in appreciation of the efforts of the medical team.
"Friday’s incident was really unfortunate. It happened because of 2-3 persons. We recognize and acknowledge that mistake and it was totally unacceptable. The doctors were scared to come here after that. We welcomed them with flowers and cheered them to show that the parish and the entire community are with them in their service. Isolated incidents shouldn’t deter them and we are here for support," said Poonthur St.Thomas church vicar Fr. Bebinson.
The district medical officer had written to authorities seeking police protection for conducting further swab collection at Poonthura. The officer also held talks with the vicar and the church offered to provide services of two volunteers to assist the medical team in swab collection.
Dr. Padmanabhan, who resumed the swab collection at Ayush centre , Poonthura said that the gesture from the community has reinforced the confidence of the medical team to continue their service. "All issues have been addressed. We have resumed swab collection on a good note. It was great to see people welcome us with flowers," said Dr. Padmanabhan.
"Great organisations don’t see people as a commodity to be managed to help grow their money, they think of money as a commodity to be managed to help grow their people."