Isha Foundation Launches a Mobile Medical Clinic to Service Tsunami Affected Villages in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu
10 January, 2005
As a part of its tsunami relief and rehabilitation efforts, the Isha Foundation inaugurated into service a Mobile Health Clinic on January 9, 2005, exclusively for sustained medical aid to 60 severely affected villages in the Cuddalore-Chidambaram region. The launch function commenced at 6:00pm at Shanmugam Mahal, Thiruvantipuram Main Road in Cuddalore in the presence of local and national dignitaries, as well as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of the Isha Foundation.
The specially designed Mobile Health Clinic (MHC) was initially procured to service remote rural villages in Chamrajnagar, Karnataka as an extension of the Foundation’s social outreach program, Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR). However, given the express need in the disaster region, the Karnataka project was postponed and resources and attention were diverted to service the survivors of the tsunami tragedy.
This model has proven to be an excellent platform for servicing the tsunami-affected coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Immediately following the disaster, a fleet of eight identical MHCs operating in rural villages in Tamil Nadu were redirected to the tsunami-affected coastal region. Structurally equipped to operate under resource limited conditions, the MHCs were well-suited to provide timely medical care to victims and relief workers.
To announce the service of the MHC to this area and to secure the necessary permissions and support for this venture, a formal launch function was held. Over 1,000 people were in attendance to express their support and solidarity for this endeavor, including tsunami victims, relief volunteers, local village leaders, and several dignitaries.
Dignitaries in attendance included Shri Pughazhandhi- the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Dr. Krishnamoorthy- the director of Krishna Hospital, Dr. Shanmugam- the director of Vallivilas Hospital, Shri L. Jayachandran- former Rotary District Governor.
Smt.CK Gariyali- senior secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, currently on special duty as the Relief Commissioner for Cuddalore district, participated in the event and also in extended discussions with Sadhguru regarding various issues of the rehabilitation plan. Shri V. Balamurugan another senior officer from the Indian Administrative Service, was also present.
Famous Hindi film actress- Smt. Poonam Dhillon, who has been mobilizing relief for tsunami victims right from the beginning participated in the launch and the rehabilitation discussions with Sadhguru.
Shri V. Balamurugan delivered the welcome address and spoke on the impact of the tsunami disaster and outlining Isha Foundation’s comprehensive rehabilitation initiatives in the area.
Sadhguru then formally launched the Mobile Health Clinic. Smt. Poonam Dhillon and Smt. Vina Aziz of the Madad Foundation distributed ten fishing nets to fishermen from the Pettodai village, Isha Foundation’s adopted village. On behalf of Isha Foundation, Shri Ramachandran, the local Cuddalore coordinator, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for all those who contributed to the function and made an appeal for expansion of the medical rehabilitation initiative.
Isha Foundation contends that this MHC is an initial step. Up to twenty additional MHCs are essential in order to adequately address the vast need in this region. Sadhguru then appealed to the corporate sector and the donor agencies to come forward at the earliest and make an investment in the well-being of people
One life reaching out to another -- Isha Foundation is committed to ensuring optimal physical, mental and emotional health for the survivors as they strive to rebuild their lives.
