By creator to www.newindianexpress.com
Categorical Information Service
PUDUKKOTTAI: Ravichandran (43) of Pudukkottai was operating out of medicines, however in contrast to many people, couldn’t afford to go to a close-by medical store to purchase them. Having undergone a kidney transplant in January final yr, Ravichandran is compelled to take two lifesaving medicines on daily basis.
His month-to-month routine consisted of going to the JIPMER in Puducherry for a check-up, and receiving medicines for a month freed from price. The final time he visited JIPMER was on March 16. As April 16 approached, Ravichandran began getting fearful as he couldn’t journey owing to the lockdown. He known as 104, the federal government helpline, on April 15, and defined his predicament.
Docs on the management room spoke to the Well being Division and the Collector in Pudukkottai. Ravichandran managed to purchase medicines for the following 5 days from a close-by store, regardless of the expense.
“A month’s provide prices `30,000. I couldn’t afford greater than 5 days’ price,” he says. “The docs from the management room stored in contact with me your entire time. They had been attempting to find the closest GH with the drugs.”
On April 17, Ravichandran received a name. He was instructed that the GRH in Madurai had the medicines. What extra, they organized an ambulance to take the person to Madurai.
Earlier than leaving, Ravichandran was requested to go to the closest PHC. He was checked by a physician. Subsequent morning, an ambulance arrived at his doorstep and took him to Madurai. The docs checked him up and gave him medicines for the following 18 days. He was dropped again dwelling the identical night.
A physician on the management room mentioned, “Since he had a renal transplant, it’s needed for docs to verify him earlier than giving medicines. He known as us hoping for one of the best and thought he wouldn’t get the medicines, however we stored following up.”For a lot of, dependence on free lifesaving medicines is a actuality, mentioned the physician.
Ravichandran’s spouse donated a kidney. “I used to work as a chef. After the transplant, I’ve not been going to work. My spouse additionally didn’t work for six months after donating her kidney. She now works as a maid at a close-by faculty. I’m glad the federal government helped me out,” Ravichandran mentioned.These with medical emergencies can contact 104, and people needing dialysis can name 102.
