More ambulances for city during Tamil meet

Inspection: Health Minister M.R.K. Paneerselvam checking a sump from which drinking water will be supplied to the World Classical Tamil Conference venue, in Coimbatore on Thursday. Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (right), Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath (second right) and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra (left) are in the picture

COIMBATORE: As many as 20 ambulances of the 108 toll free service and the creation of exclusive wards are some of the measures that will be carried out to ensure that a good health care apparatus is in place in the city during the World Classical Tamil Conference from June 23 to 27.

Listing these measures to presspersons after a review of the arrangements here on Thursday, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said 13 ambulances were already available in Coimbatore under the joint programme of the State Government and the Emergency Management and Research Institute.

The additional ambulances would help in bolstering the emergency care system during the conference, he said.

The Coimbatore Corporation would carry out intensive measures to ensure hygiene across the city during the five days of the conference. The Department of Public Health would carry out mosquito control measures in the areas surrounding the city.

The State Government had sanctioned Rs.8 crore to the Corporation and the health department to carry out sanitation and diseases-prevention measures during the conference, the Minister said.

The review meeting discussed the emergency medical care arrangements for delegates.

“Private hospitals in the city have offered to create a 50-bed ward each to treat delegates of the conference if they experience health problems,” Mr. Panneerselvam, who heads the Health Committee for the conference, said.

A three-bed health centre would be established outside the conference venue, the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex. A five-bed centre would be put up inside the venue.

Medicines

Besides doctors and paramedical staff, all necessary equipment and adequate stock of medicines would be available at these centres.

A co-ordinator would be appointed and this person would function from the Collectorate.

A medical helpline (phone number 2211000) would be available during the conference.

Coimbatore Collector P. Umanath, who took part in the review, said 20 lines would be provided under this helpline.

The Minister, however, said there would be no screening of delegates/visitors for A (H1N1) influenza.

The Union Government itself had withdrawn screening. When the case of a flu positive woman, admitted to a private hospital in the city early this month, was pointed out, the Minister said a panic should not be created now. There was no indigenous case in Coimbatore.

Stating that Tamil Nadu had been successful in tackling the flu, Mr. Panneerselvam asserted that the health department would take swift action to contain any spread if a positive case was found. Constant surveillance would be maintained, he said.

As for hygiene across the city, the Minister said the Corporation had 2,600 conservancy workers. It would engage another 400 to meet the conservancy requirement during the conference.

Mr. Panneerselvam said a special team of 20 Food Inspectors of the Corporation would go around the city to ensure that the food served at various outlets was safe for consumption.

Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra and officials of the Department of Public Health took part in the meeting.