TN health officials directed to prepare for medical emergencies amid forecast of heavy rain

Chennai, May 20 (IANS) The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) in Tamil Nadu on Monday issued a circular to the district health officials to stay prepared for any medical emergencies after the weather department warned of continuous rain in the state and the arrival of southwest monsoon in Kerala on May 31.The DPH directed the district medical officials that the southwest monsoon would bring moderate to heavy rain in various parts of Tamil Nadu due to a cyclonic circulation.The circular also instructed the concerned authorities to make available an adequate number of health officials round the clock in view of the weather department’s forecast.Rapid Medical Response Teams (RMRT) should also be made available in the vulnerable areas, which must consist of doctors, staff nurses, village health nurses, and health inspectors.The state health department has also directed the district medical officers to store adequate quantities of medicines required for any emergency situation.The department urged the officials to provide on-the-spot medical care for minor ailments like fever, minor injuries, and skin diseases.The circular also called upon the district medical officials to make available ambulance fleets with adequate fuel for any emergency situation.–IANSaal/arm