A team of experts and paramedical staff from Karnataka will head to Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam to assist Kerala medical personnel in treating persons with burns.
Around 100 persons died and a large number of people suffered burns following a fire at Puttingal Temple in Paravoor in Kollam around 4 am on Sunday.
Talking to The Hindu on phone, Health Minister U.T. Khader said he had a discussion with Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil and they decided to send two teams of medical personnel to Kerala, from Bangalore Medical College and Victoria Hospital. These teams will assist medical personnel in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
"It is at this trying situation that we need to help our neighbouring state. We need to join the Kerala government in treating as many burn victims as possible." The government was ready to offer all assistance that the Kerala government needs in treating burn victims, he added.
Our Staff Reporter from Bengaluru adds:
An official at Victoria Hospital said in the evening that a team of doctors is ready to be deputed to Kerala, and is awaiting official confirmation.
"Until the request comes from the Kerala government, we are on hold. As soon as they feel that they need us, we will leave," said Smitha Segu, associate professor and head, plastic surgery, Victoria Hospital.
A team of two general surgeons, two orthopaedic surgeons, five plastic surgeons and one staff nurse, headed by Dr. Segu, has been readied.
