The Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and teaching staff of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) are coordinating with the State Government in providing medical relief to people in the flood-affected areas.
Setting aside their demands, government doctors, who resigned en masse last week, have started providing round-the-clock services in the affected districts.
“We are also deputing 100 additional doctors from the southern districts of Tumkur, Kolar, Chickaballapur, Mandya and surrounding areas for medical assistance in the affected areas. These doctors have been drawn from primary health centres and district hospitals where two doctors are working,” said H.N. Ravindra, president of the KGMOA.
He said the doctors collected donations in the form of medicines from pharmacists for distribution in the affected places. “While the Government is providing the vehicles and fuel, we are taking care of the medicines,” Dr. Ravindra said.
The doctors had set an October 14 deadline for the Government to meet their demands. “In the wake of the floods, we are extending this deadline up to November 2. We have also conveyed to the Chief Minister to fix his meeting with us (which was scheduled on October 12) anytime before October 30,” he added.
IMA
According to a press release issued by IMA president M.S. Siddegowda, all the 154 IMA registered units with 10,000 members have started medical camps in the affected areas. “We are continuously coordinating with the Government in distribution of medicines and providing treatment and other medical facilities to the affected people,” Dr. Siddegowda said.
The medical units at Gadag, Hubli-Dharwad and Bellary will soon start relief activities and the date, time, venue and telephone numbers of the medical camps will be notified in two days, the release added.
BMCRI
The teaching staff of BMCRI have donated a day’s salary amounting to Rs. 15 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. BMCRI Dean and Director G.T. Subash said four teams comprising specialist doctors had been set up to rush to the affected areas as and when the need arises. “We have informed the Health and Family Welfare Commissioner P.N. Sreenivasachari to call our teams whenever required,” Dr Subash added.
