Hospital springs to disaster relief

BANGALORE: The state government's disaster management cell may be dysfunctional but there are many such cells in the state which respond quickly during crises.
The St John's National Academy of Health Sciences: Disaster Relief Unit and Community Health Cell have been hailed worldwide for their sterling service in the country.
St John's was the first and only voluntary medical team to reach Nicobar Island in the Andamans within 48 hours of the tsunami slamming into it.
DRU convener Dr Pretesh Rohan Kiran said that every institution and area should have a core disaster management team that could respond immediately to any kind of disaster.
"Disaster relief is not a momentary response -- that we pack our baggage and leave for the disaster area. There is a need to consult relevant authorities, whether an external response is required and, if so, the nature of the response. We should not burden or pressure the existing resources in the affected area," added Dr Pretesh.
With regular training, these doctors are ready to respond to any kind of disaster across the country. A DRU team is leaving for Andhra Pradesh on October 11.
The 25-year-old Community Health Cell has been proactive in responding to the Bhopal gas tragedy or the tsunami. Founder members Ravi Narayan and Thelma Narayan said participation in disaster management inspired them to set up the CHC. With the Karnataka Janarogya Andholana, CHC has been at the forefront in responding to victims in flood-affected North Karnataka districts.