Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 20 : Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday carried out inspections at the special burn ward of the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai, and said that 89 patients have come here since yesterday.
"We have formed a special burn ward in Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. As of now there are 89 injured patients who have come since yesterday, of whom 48 are seriously injured and others have been discharged. Among those who have been seriously injured, eight of them will get surgery," the Tamil Nadu Health Minister said.
Amid Diwali celebrations, Subramanian appealed to the people to burst crackers in the open and wear cotton clothes.
"I appeal to people to burst crackers in the open, wearing cotton and not silk or nylon clothes," he said.
Speaking on preparedness for the Northeast monsoon by the Tamil Nadu health department, Subramanian said that meetings have been organised to discuss precautionary measures.
"Meetings held on precautionary measure. Wherever waterlogging occurred due to heavy rains in health centres and hospitals last year, we have monitored and taken steps this year," the minister said.
Subramanian informed that Royapettah Hospital witnessed waterlogging last year due to the ongoing metro work in the area. However, he said, no waterlogging occurred this time. He stated that waterlogging at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital was also prevented this year.
"Last year in Royapettah Hospital, waterlogging happened due to ongoing metro work and this year, we have made sure no waterlogging occurred. In Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital last year, water entered the hospital. However, we placed sandbags this year amid heavy rainfall, which prevented waterlogging," he added.
On the occasion of Diwali, Subramanian distributed sweets to doctors and healthcare workers during his inspection at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.