Karunai illam appeals for donation to resurrect its rain ravaged women’s unit

Karunai Illam (Maduravoyal), the women’s unit of NGO was completely submerged in water due to the floods caused by the torrential rains on Nov. 15 and 16. 150 women, comprising of psychiatric and terminally ill patients, handicapped and old aged living there, had to be evacuated and taken to another home 5 kms away in the middle of the night.

All the resident’s possessions including clothes, beds, cots, bedsheets, pillows, medicines, one month’s provision Udavum Karangal appeals for donation to resurrect its rain ravaged women’s unit and groceries had to be left behind as the focus was on rescuing the patients.Founder said that the water has not fully receded and the extent of loss is yet to be estimated. He said that the patients cannot be shifted back unless the water level completely recedes. It is all the more difficult as the Unit is on the banks of the River Cooum which has risen to enormous height. Moreover, the flood waters have mixed with drainage water and there is every possibility of spread of waterborne and infectious diseases for which precautions like cleaning of the entire place with disinfectants and sterilizing the medical stores has now become a necessity.He added that returning to normalcy and giving the 150 women patients a healthy place to live in is going to be a huge physical and financial challenge. On account of flooding in several areas in the neighbourhood and water yet to recede, Sundaram Medical Foundation will provide free door delivery of medicines against doctor’s prescription for senior citizens till Nov. 30. The payment for the bill has to be paid in cash at the time of delivery. The service can be availed by senior citizens living within 5km radius of the hospital. The service will be extended depending upon the weather conditions.