She took over doctorless GH; Saved 400 lives

NAGAPATTINAM: Seven years ago, on December 26, when the monster tsunami devastated the Nagapattinam coast, hundreds of lives were lost. But in Tarangambadi one doctor put up a brave fight and saved scores who were struck by the tidal waves.When the tsunami attacked Tarangambadi, the Porayar General Hospital was not equipped to handle the influx of injured who flooded its corridors. The ailing institution on that fateful day, had just two on-duty nursing assistants and not a single doctor to cater to the medical needs of the victims. It was at that critical moment that Dr Priscilla Manuel, a resident of Porayar, volunteered her services to the general hospital (GH). She was able to administer preliminary treatment to about 400 affected, 150 of whom were critically injured. She ploughed on tirelessly from 10.30 am till later that night. “On that unfortunate day, around 10 am a group from Tarangambadi brought four children to my clinic.The children were in a state of asphyxia (inability to breath and suffocation). They told me about the tidal attack and said there were no doctors at the Porayar GH,” recalls Dr Priscilla.After attending to the children, she rushed to the general hospital. “A huge crowd had gathered there and people were crying inconsolably. Many children and women had suffered head injuries and multiple fractures. Most of them were in a state of asphyxia as they had consumed huge quantity of sea water,” said the doctor.Simultaneously, her husband Samuel Manuel, a qualified Disaster Relief and Management expert, mobilised volunteers and sent out rescue teams. He also went to other hamlets like Manickapangu, Pillaiperumalnallur, Chinnagudi and Sathangudi. Now, seven years later, when Dr Priscilla looks back, she humbly says, “I just did my duty that day.”