Minister visits accident victims

Chennai: A total of 312 patients were rushed to government hospitals in Chennai following New Year celebrations on Sunday night and Monday morning.
Hospital authorities said that more than 80 per cent of the cases were on road  accidents due to rash driving or drunk driving and assault, and others involved minor burn cases due to bursting of crackers on New Year Eve.

The special emergency units at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital, Stanley Medical College (SMC) Hospital and Government Royapettah Hospital received a total of 312 cases on Monday.

Government Royapettah Hospital received the highest number of 155 cases, out of whom 78 patients had minor injuries due to fall and 11 patients were referred to RGGGH as they had sustained serious injuries. While RGGGH received 78 cases, SMC recorded 51 cases. KMC received 28 cases, out of which seven were referred to RGGGH.

Hospital authorities said the cases were handled easily due to preparatory measures undertaken by the department. “Most of the patients were provided out-patient services at the emergency units, and based on the severity of injuries, some were referred to RGGGH. Most of the patients were youngsters from 15 to 30 years of age and drunk driving had led to accidents”, said P Vasanthamani, dean, KMC.

Meanwhile, Health minister C Vijayabaskar oversaw the treatment and arrangements being given to injured patients at Government Royapettah Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

The minister also inspected the arrangements at 108 emergency call center at DMS campus and the preparatory measures undertaken by the hospital authorities on account of New Year.