|
Achutha Menon Centre
for Health Science Studies jointly with Kerala Health
Studies and Research Centre conducted a seminar on
'Violence and Public Health ; A case study of recent
violence in Gujarat' on the aftermath of terrible
events in Gujarat which shook the conscience of the
nation.
Ms. Neha Madhiwalla,
Senior Researcher, CEHAT, Mumbai, who had been part of
the team of Medico Friend Circle, which investigated
the impact of violence on health and health system,
spoke in the seminar. She presented the findings from
the MFC report 'Carnage in Gujarat ; A Public Health
Crisis' on (a) The role played by the health services
and (b) the violence against women. Dr. R. Sukanya who
had been part of the public health work in the relief
camps in Ahmedabad narrated her experience of working
in the relief camps of Gujarat and spoke on 'Health
impact of violence and condition of relief camps in
Ahmedabad'.
Dr. B. Ekbal, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University
spoke on 'Lessons of Gujarat : Caring for Survivors
and Preventing Violence'. The seminar was moderated by
Prof. Michael Tharakan of CDS.
The discussion was centred on the break in confidence
or trust of all institutions and that there is urgent
need of rebuilding partnerships to prevent societies
from fighting and breaking apart. The following needs
were highlighted- training of medical professionals in
Gender issues of health., trained people in
identifying and managing psychological problems
necessary to manage the posttraumatic stress disorders
of the survivors after such disasters and the
responsibility of doctors in medico-legal
documentation to aid in justice.
|
