Latest news with #DirectorofPublicHealthandPreventiveMedicine
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
More than 4,000 elderly people screened for cataract in Coimbatore
Over 4,000 elderly people underwent cataract screening in Coimbatore district over the past two months through special eye camps launched under the initiative of District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar. As many as 19 special screening camps were conducted in various blocks including Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Negamam, Karamadai, Sarkarsamakulam, Sultanpet, Valparai, Periyanaickenpalayam, and Annur. The camps were jointly organised by the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and the District Blindness Control Society. During these camps, 4,011 individuals were screened, and cataract was detected in 236 of them. Of these, 168 have already undergone surgery. In addition, 154 people were detected with hypertension, 103 with diabetes, and 50 with both . Those identified with health issues were provided medical support and counselling. An outreach event held on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) under the Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril programme in Sulur taluk brought attention to the case of 80-year-old Lakshmi, a resident of Karumathampatti. During an inspection of the Karumathampatti Primary Health Centre, the Collector noticed that Ms. Lakshmi was affected by cataract and instructed health officials to provide immediate medical assistance. She was subsequently admitted to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital for the surgery.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Dedicated COVID-19 ward set up at Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital
A dedicated 100-bed COVID-19 ward has been established at Thoothukudi Government Medical College and Hospital (TKGMCH) as a proactive step, despite no confirmed COVID cases in the district so far. The facility has been set up as a precautionary measure in line with state health directives. With COVID-19 cases emerging in several States across India, both the Central and State governments have ramped up preparedness to prevent further spread. As part of these efforts, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has issued detailed guidelines for the early identification of suspected cases across Primary Health Centres, District Head Quarters Hospital and Medical Colleges. District Microbiologists were instructed to facilitate proper collection of throat swab and nasal swab in Viral Transport Medium (VTM). Additionally, individuals with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children and elderly were urged to wear face masks in public places as a preventive measure. In line with these precautionary protocols, a 100-bed special COVID-19 ward has been established at TKGMCH and is ready for use. Based on the guidelines of the Director of Public Health, all precautionary measures are being implemented in the hospital. Silas Jeyamani, Resident Medical Officer, confirmed that the hospital is well equipped with an adequate stock of liquid oxygen and essential medicines. He noted that the COVID-19 ward, which was actively used during the previous waves of pandemic, has now been prepared for potential use. He added that the government has instructed that patients exhibiting covid symptoms should undergo swab testing. If symptoms are detected, the patient will be isolated and their samples will be collected and sent to Chennai for testing. All necessary arrangements for the process have already been made at TKGMCH.
