Over 3 lakh asthmatics receive Goud fish medicine

Over 3 lakh asthmatics receive Goud fish medicine
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

HYDERABAD, JUNE 7: Despite the turnout of lakhs of Asthma patients, administration of the fish medicine went off smoothly in the city today.

More than 3 lakh patients who have come from different parts of the country and abroad were given the medicine amidst elaborate arrangements which facilitated quick dispensation unlike in the past when the procedure was time-consuming and laborious.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who took a dose of medicine, praised Bathini brothers for rendering yeoman service to the people and assured them of allotting five acres at Sivarampalli on the city outskirts. The space could be utilised for the annual event.

The administration of the wonder drug started at 5.30 am on the onset of Mrigasira Karte and it will continue upto 8 am tomorrow.

While a patient had to wait for more than ten hours in the earlier years before his turn came, it took hardly half an hour this time.

According to Bathini brothers, the cure envisages that a patient should take the dose for three consecutive years and follow a strict diet regimen. However, many people have taken it for more than three years and some even 15 times.

For Syed Quasim, aged 70, inability to take the medicine last year after 14 consecutive times made some difference. He could not breathe easily and walk long distances as before. He suffered a relapse of asthma.

He, along with family members, who were also suffering from the disease, came here from Nanded and took the drug. "The medicine gives me great relief. It has enabled me to breathe freely and walk long stretches," he said.

Rajyalakshmi, who hails from Visakhapatnam, was taking the fish medicine for more than 10 years. Suffering from acute asthma, she was taking the drug in addition to regular allopathic medicines.

Young and old thronged the venue from yesterday midnight itself and formed queues at scores of barricades. At least 10 volunteers were seen administering the medicine at each of the 20 counters, enabling quick disposal of the patients. Special counters were arranged for VIPs and women.

The fool-proof arrangements and strict bandobast came as a big relief for the patients. "Last year we were made to wait in the queue for over 12 hours. It was avoided this year. In hardly half an hour, we took the drug and came out," said Bhaskar and Prashanth, who hail from Manipur.

"I was so apprehensive about securing the medicine because of the huge crowd. But it has been a hassle free affair and I got out of the queue in just 15 minutes", said middle aged Sunita Aurora of Delhi.

While members of voluntary organisations extended all possible help to the patients, arrangements by the government departments were also good.

More distribution counters were set up this year on the sprawling Exhibition Grounds. Agarwal Samaj, Rajasthani Sainik Kshatriya Samaj, Sikh Sangath and other organisations distributed food, water sachets, fruits and biscuits to the patients.

Agarwal Samaj, which set up an emergency clinic, shifted four persons, who were suffering from acute asthma and malaria, to the Osmania Hospital.

The Samaj has provided free accommodation and other facilities to about 10,000 people coming from different corners of the country.

According to police, the event went off peacefully, owing to the large space available at the venue and setting up of many barricades and distribution counters.

Speaking to ENS, Bathini family member Harinath Goud said that about three lakh people took medicine till evening. Patients mostly hailed from North Eastern states and Kerala. The incidence of asthma is more in these regions due to high humidity in the atmosphere, he said.

However, there were some complaints of a few voluntary organisations printing fake entry passes and selling them to innocent patients.