As Flood Waters Start to Ebb in Kerala, Aster Volunteers Lend a Hand Round the Clock to Ensure Health and Hygiene for the Grieved
Kerala, IndiaWith lakhs of Keralites displaced, and over 350 losing their lives, due to floods caused by rains and landslides, relief and rescue operations are on at war-footing across the state to restore some normalcy. Aster Volunteers have taken to remote areas where proper support is yet to reach, to help the people with medical checkups, clothes, blankets, food, and water.
Call Aster Disaster support team for help
Kochi (+91 9446222135 | +919562721642) Kottakkal (+91 9656000601) Calicut (+91 9847520600) Wayanad (+919847762080)With lakhs of Keralites displaced, and over 350 losing their lives, due to floods caused by rains and landslides, relief and rescue operations are on at war-footing across the state to restore some normalcy. Aster Volunteers have taken to remote areas where proper support is yet to reach, to help the people with medical checkups, clothes, blankets, food and water.
Aster Disaster Support Team consisting of more than 300 medical and non-medical volunteers from Aster DM Healthcare’s network of hospitals in India, has been working with local government relief centers in Wayanad, Ernakulam, Calicut and Malappuram districts to conduct medical camps, provide health check-ups and essential materials for sustenance.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare said, “This is to place in record greatest appreciation to all those who actively took part in the timely, efficient and compassionate medical care and allied support provided to the victims of the unprecedented flood related tragedy. I am proud that Asterians have been in the forefront of the efforts with commitment and service. The Government, with Hon CM leading from the front with the support of the thousands of volunteers, forces, officials and healthcare workers did a fantastic job to mitigate the damage that was caused by the Mother of All Floods. The Aster Volunteers can be proud of our timely involvement and contribution, especially in the Relief Camps providing badly needed medical care.
The job is only half done, the phase one of providing immediate care to the affected people in the camps are over. The more important part of the intervention is in Phase 2 with significant risk of communicable diseases. Contaminated water sources can be a major threat to GI illnesses like diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis etc. Prevention and treatment of these maladies is of paramount importance and Aster Volunteers must be at the forefront of combating this. I request the coordinators to work closely with the authorities and provide manpower and materials wherever required. The disposal of biomedical waste is being supported by IMAGE, a wing of IMA. Government is providing the required immunization materials. Request all of you to be actively spending time to prevent any aftermath of the tragedy, which can prevent more morbidity and mortality. Let us be on red alert regarding this in the forefront of the crusade against this natural disaster.”
Aster volunteers advise people to follow the precautionary measures while entering home after the floods subside:Enter house only when the water has completely receded from the groundDo not switch on electrical gadgets that were submerged. It may create short circuit/fires/electric shocksDo not compromise with the quality of drinking water, do not drink from ponds/ wells that were previously thought to be safe for direct drinkingDiscard floodwater-soaked grains if other foods are available. If using such grains, they should be thoroughly cleaned and cooked. But only use if there is no other optionDo not allow kitchen waste water, bathroom water from your house to mix with flood water in your locality. It will continuously keep contaminating the entire water sources in the whole localityElderly people, those with diabetes etc. should AVOID getting into any kind of dirty water as they are at high risk of infections and sepsisIn case of any medical doubt or symptoms like high fever, diarrhea, cough, jaundice, skin infections which do not recede in a few days, don’t take self-decision, but see a doctor in any nearby camp or health care centerCo-operate with rescue workers, health authorities and doctors. Discuss your problem frankly and work out the best solution
If anyone would like to contribute, they can reach Aster Volunteer Leads in their respective areas: UAE- Krishnabhaskar Mangalasserri- +971 558309649|Kochi- Latheef: +919446222135, Dr. Sudha: +919562721642 | Kottakkal- Sumesh: +919656000601 | Calicut- Anvar: +919847520600 |Wayanad- Ajilal: +919847762080 | Bangalore- Shaheen: +919945542392 |Hyderabad- Venkatesh: +919866957006 | Vijayawada- Ratna: +919052154888 |Kolhapur- Ravindra: +919325561111.
