At Ramlila ground, crowds throng health desk for check ups

It was meant to provide medical aid to those fasting along with Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, but the health desk at the Ramlila ground on Friday was swamped with people approaching the doctors with routine ailments such as headache and viral fever.

It was meant to provide medical aid to those fasting along with Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, but the health desk at the Ramlila ground on Friday was swamped with people approaching the doctors with routine ailments such as headache and viral fever.

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"We have seen 58 patients between 11 am and 5 pm. Most of the supporters who are not fasting are coming to us with complaints of fever, headache and chest pain,” Saket Manu, a representative from the west Ghaziabad branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), told IANS.

"We are referring serious patients to Lok Nayak Hospital. We also have emergency treatment for patients suffering from dehydration and other problems,” Manu added.

The health desk set up by volunteers would be providing free medical aid and emergency services to supporters who fall sick during the 15-day protest.

Many supporters thronged the health desk for basic services such as ORS (oral re-hydration solution) for their children.

There were also people like Muneeza Shaqeer, a resident of the neighbouring Lok Nayak colony, who decided to take advantage of the health desk though she was not part of the campaign.

"My daughter has been vomiting since morning. I came to the Ramlila Maidan because I thought the doctors might help,” said Shaqeer.

Hazare, 74, is staging an indefinite fast at the Ramlila ground to push for a stronger lokpal bill.