Abu Dhabi residents' quick actions save lives during Kerala floods

Abu Dhabi - They are spearheading continuous medical and social assistance that has helped save hundreds of lives.

The south Indian state of Kerala is recovering from devastating floods. Rescue operations are over, and focus has shifted to relief and rehabilitation. Two UAE residents are at the forefront of offering support in this regard.
Abu Dhabi-based residents Santhi Promoth and Jyothy Palat, the executive directors of Avitis Institute of Medical Sciences in the Palakkad district of Kerala are spearheading continuous medical and social assistance that has helped save hundreds of lives.
Palakkad was inundated after shutters of Malampuzha dam, the second largest reservoir in Kerala, and few others were opened. The district is now limping back to normalcy. However, there are isolated areas like Nelliampathy where people are still stranded. And Avitis Institute of Medical Sciences in Nemmara town has brought respite to hundreds of homeless in such areas.
"Relief camps were opened in the district from August 9. We immediately contacted District Collector D. Balamurali, District Medical Officer Dr K.P. Reetha, District Disaster Management Committee convener Vibhushan and other officials, and started a medical unit at a school in Olavakode," Santhi said.
The camp had a team of five doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, ICU ambulance and emergency services. "We offered medical assistance daily to over 200 people."
As the situation got worse, Avitis opened another medical unit in Tharekkad.
However, nature's wrath continued with a landslide claiming many lives in Nemmara.
"We provided medical help at the site," Santhi said and added the group expanded its services to other camps. "We coordinated with Nemmara legislator K. Babu and reached out to all relief camps with our medical team and services. We also provided food at all relief camps."
Climbing hill on foot to save lives
The flood situation worsened and the plantation town of Nelliyampathy got isolated due to landslides, Jyothy said.
"There was no way to reach Nelliyampathy. At the request of MLA Babu, on August 19 we arranged a helicopter with a team of doctors and nurses. We prepared a temporary helipad at NSS College, Nenmara. The chopper took off along with the legislator but due to bad weather and poor visibility couldn't land in Nelliyampathy. On August 20, multiple attempts to land there failed."
But the team decided that hundreds of lives couldn't be left to die. Team Avitis decided to travel the 30km distance from Nemmara to the hill station of Nelliyampathy on foot.
"The terrain was dangerous. We were sent off by MLA Babu from a point where a bridge was completely washed off cutting access to Nelliyampathy. The 13-member team of four doctors, three nurses and support staff was led by senior members and ex-servicemen Muralidharan and Haridas. They set up a medical unit and evaluated the health condition of people there. We have airlifted serious cases to Palakkad through the Indian Navy's helicopter. The team will return late on Wednesday."
Both Santhi and Jyothy lauded the tremendous work initiated by the district administration.
"We place on record our sincere thanks to the district collector, police, politicians and voluntary groups who continue to offer us all the needed support and guidance. We all need to come together to help rebuild Palakkad and a new Kerala," they said and praised the relentless service offered by their medical team.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

With landslides and a bridge washed away in flood, Avitis medical team walks the 30-km distance from Nemmara to hill station of Nelliyampathy.

• Abu Dhabi
• India