The Indian Air Force extended much needed medical support in terms of insertion of medical teams and setting up of mobile hospitals, as part of the rescue and relief measures following the floods. On August 18, Indian Air Force Medical services inducted two mobile medical teams, each comprising of one doctor and two paramedics along with medicines and dressing materials by helicopter to provide initial medical care to flood victims in water-logged areas of Thiruvalla.
Eight more similar teams were inducted over the next two days. These ten teams included members conversant with Malayalam as well as paramedics who forfeited leave to participate as volunteers. Besides, 10-bed mobile hospitals (Rapid Action Medical Teams) were set up near Thiruvalla and Alappuzha.
These hospitals were flown in from Bangalore and Hindon in AN-32 and C-130 aircrafts. They are completely self sufficient in all respects to treat about 100 OPD and 10 in-patients per day.
A lady doctor was part of the mobile hospital of Alappuzha to give personalised treatment to flood-affected women and children. Though the air rescue operations are by and large over, the medical teams will continue to be deployed till normality is restored.
Flight Lieutanant Saurav.S.Varma said that in the initial days, the medical team found out that there was a severe paucity of regular medicines in most areas, due to which the blood pressure and sugar levels were high for many patients. Those who were in need of urgent care where transported to local hospitals in boats.
The team members said that the local people provided all support, ensuring accommodation and food.
