ost of the patients at this medical camp come with respiratory problems and for the dressing of deep wounds. Others come for blood tests to check malaria or typhoid. Dr Rangaswamy from Madurai says there have been five, maybe 10 cases of chickenpox, but the village has been free of an epidemic.
Only 20 to 30 per cent of victims who come here specifically ask for psychological counselling. They often cry and do not speak much, says the doctor. "But when we go to their homes they speak more freely."
In the fortnight he has spent here, people have told Dr Rangaswamy they wanted to get back to earning their livelihood. That it was more important for them to get their boats before their homes.
"We must not forget that these are very dignified people. They have been forced to take relief material," adds Dr Rangaswamy.
330 NGOs had traveled to Nagapattinam after the tsunami struck; a month later, around 40 remained in the field.
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