EHA

EHA continued to provided relief intervention in the following areas to the tsunami affected communities of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in May:

Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels: 280 girls and 215 boys reside in the hostels. The weekly birthday parties in both the hostel continued to be held. In addition to Dr Siju and Dr Johnson, Arpana Philip and Sr. Helen Wallace helped in the smooth running of the programmes here. Arpana, a volunteer from Delhi helped the students in their studies by taking special classes for the students. The principal of the school, Mrs Leela Varghese was very much appreciative of her efforts.

Regular clinics on alternate days were conducted in both the hostels. 336 hostellers were examined and treated free of cost.

Hygiene items in the form of soaps, detergents, toothpaste and coconut oil were supplied to the students.

Andaman and Nicobar Disability Rehabilitation Centre: A special medical camp was held for the inmates of the centre on May 9. 25 children were examined.

Fortnightly visits by EHA doctors to the Pilar Health Centre, Rangat were done on May 13 and 27 . 124 patients were examined and treated.

Relief Camps in South Andaman: In the 13 relief camps of South Andamans week clinics were held. 426 people were examined and treated.

Supply of hygiene kits to all the affected continues. 300 kits comprising of soaps, detergents, toothpaste, talcum powder and coconut oil were distributed. In addition, mosquito coils were also distributed.

Supplemental nutrition packs comprising of dry rations of pulses (2 varieties), soyabean chunks and groundnut candies were distributed to each of the affected families.

Pilar Health Centre, Port Blair – The support to the Pilar Health Centre at Port Blair has been going on well. In addition to doctors, Sr Helen Wallace from BCH, Fatehpur has been helping out with the work in the hospital. A Total of 1793 OP patients and 212 IN patients were seen in May. 378 patients were examined in the camps and settlements and 313 in the hostels.

Dr Varghese Philip, Executive Director of EHA, visited the project from May 2 to 4, assessed the work and discussed on the future of the project. Mrs. Wendy Toulmin of Archbishop’s Foundation, Australia visited the project from May 10 to 14. She visited the various relief camps in South Andamans, the hostels and the Pilar Health Centre.