Shylaja conducts special review meeting with district officials

Free medicines will be given to all those affected by the floods, K.K. Shylaja, Minister for Health, has said in a statement.

Those in relief camps and also those who had gone back home would be provided whatever medicines they required free of cost, she said at a special review meeting held here on Wednesday. She said the health department was ready to take care of the exigency and had enough stock of medicines.

Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd had stocked enough medicines. The Minister said shortage of medicine in any camp would be sorted out if the doctor in-charge or the Medical Relief Control Centre at the General Hospital (Medical Helpline 9946992995) was contacted.

With thousands of people still in camps, other States have come forward with support, she said. Any shortage of doctors too will be taken care of if the control rooms at the State or district levels are notified.

A number of doctors have come from other States to help out with medical relief here. Even after they return, the department will employ more doctors to tide over the crisis, said Ms. Shylaja.

All carcasses of domestic animals will have to be properly disposed of. A special task force has been created for the purpose at collectorates.

The State required tonnes of bleaching powder. The Maharashtra Health Minister has promised help in this regard, she said. Sanitisation requires a specific measure of bleaching powder to be mixed with water. Health inspectors have been trained in this regard, and they will be supervising the activity, she said.

Diseases like chicken pox should be notified immediately so that the patients could be provided treatment in isolation facilities.

The Ayurveda and Homoeopathy departments have also opened camps. All families will be provided Ayurveda preventive kits too. Counselling for those suffering from mental trauma in the wake of the floods will be provided at camps and houses.