Health services has been one of the most required and essential sector in the post-tsunami period. Especially the people located at the makeshift temporary shelters are suffering silently with a host of infections and particularly women with gynecological problems.

The vagaries of the nature, excessive heat and psychological fear of another Tsunami have brought about uncertainty on the lives of the people.

Moreover, thatched roofs, stagnated water around the shelters, mosquito menace, unhygienic conditions of the toilets and the like haphazardly result in various diseases. Diseases relating to gynecology, urinary infections, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), chicken pox, typhoid, diarrhea, yellow fever and other water-borne diseases were very much prevalent among the people living in the affected areas especially in the temporary shelters.

Poor or no sanitation and lack of appropriate drinking water added to a host of health issues. In this scenario, AID had brought in the mobile health services in the region with special reference to Nagapattinam.

In order to eradicate all these health problems of the affected people, regular health camps, clinical services, health awareness workshops, counseling and referral services for further treatment are provided from time to time especially for the people living in the temporary shelters. The residents of these shelters are given proper sanitation support and awareness regarding water-borne diseases, general health and hygiene.

All the temporary shelters and villages are covered under this scheme. The ambulance transports the sick to the nearest Government hospitals. In addition, the ambulance is being used as Mobile Health Unit where health camps are conducted within the Ambulance itself.
The entire population affected by the Tsunami was covered for clinical support. Rendering medical services to the affected people involves proper arrangements. Sick people particularly women in the temporary camps are selected beforehand by the volunteers for medical inspection. Regular check-ups are conducted and medicines prescribed.

Recently, there was a road accident near one of the Tsunami shelters. When AID was informed about it, the affected person was immediately taken to Nagapattinam Government Hospital (GH) for treatment by our Ambulance. As the patient needed intensive treatment, he was further referred to Thanjavur. He was transported to Thanjavur along with our staff and due to timely treatment, his life could be saved.

About 115 women patients were treated in the villages of Silladi, Pattinacherry, Nambiar Nagar and Nalliyal Thottam using the Ambulance as the mobile camp van and a lady doctor had assisted AID in all these villages. Out these, 8 women were recommended for further treatment at the hospital. These women had some problems relating to pregnancy. The problems were detected and the women were treated accordingly.

Pre and Post-natal services were also given in some cases. Girls between the age group of 13 and 18 were treated for water-borne diseases, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), urinary infection, etc. Counseling was also given on sex-related issues.

Children aged 5 and below were treated for Vitamin A deficiency and were administered medicine for the same by taking them by the Ambulance to hospitals located at Velankanni, Serudoor and Prathabaramapuram. Under the Child Health Programme, Children between the age group of 0 to 14 years are regularly checked up for water-borne diseases and urinary infections.

There was a fire accident at Nalliyal Thottam. People with burn injuries were taken by AID Ambulance and got treated. People affected by the fire accident were put up in a school nearby.