Health training-cum-medicare drive by Navy in four islands

Kochi: A health training-cum-medicare drive was conducted by the Southern Naval Command, Kochi in the islands of Minicoy, Kalpeni, Androth and Kavaratti last week.

A team comprising 10 specialist medical officers, a nursing officer and 12 medical assistants from INHS Sanjivani, the Naval Hospital at Kochi naval base, was deputed to the islands of Lakshadweep for the duration on the naval Ship INS Sutlej towards the conduct of health and medicare drive.

The programme was organised from October 27 to 30 in co-ordination with the local administration and the Directorate of Health Services, Lakshadweep islands.

The team undertook a lecture-cum-demonstration for school children and NCC cadets on first aid, Basic Life Support system and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation at all the four islands, which was attended by students and cadets in excess of 500, according to a Navy press release here.

The team also utilised the opportunity to reach out to the local population with dedicated medical checkups not easily available to residents of the island, in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Eye, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Dentistry and Pathology by providing specialised health services such as antenatal ultrasound scans, as well as distributing medicines which benefited more than 2,000 people, it said.

Barkatullaha, President cum Chief Counsellor, Dweep Panchayat, appreciated the efforts of the Lakshdweep Administration, Directorate of Health Services and Indian Navy in bringing specialised health care to the remote islands, it added.