The free medical camp arranged for devotees in connection with the Pongala by a group of doctors of the Government Medical College at Sreekumar Theatre on Saturday provided care and relief to hundreds.
Most of those who were brought in had fainted in the combined heat and smoke emanating from thousands of hearths. All were provided first aid and a few who needed further care were sent in a free ambulance to MCH.
The camp was run by Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS), which coordinates the State government’s organ donation programme, Mrithasanjeevani and the Community Medicine department of the medical college. Samagram Health Foundation, All Kerala Mohanlal Fans Association, Thampanoor Brothers and the Sreekumar Theatre management made all arrangements. The medical team included nurses and paramedical staff from MCH. There were four beds in the camp.
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Four women who had collapsed during the Pongala in various parts of the city were brought to MCH. All except a senior citizen, Narayani Amma (62) of Payyannur, were discharged after observation.
Twelve ‘108’ ambulances, 24 field staff and four control room staff were on duty the entire day.