Health | Citizen Matters, Chennai

The rarely discussed problem that’s putting government hospitals in Chennai in a fix

March 6, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Many of Chennai’s government hospitals find themselves under pressure, as their mortuaries fill up with unclaimed dead bodies, waiting to be identified. What causes the problem and how can one find humane solutions to it?

Why Chennai is celebrating Padmashri award to a doctor in a remote part of Assam

January 27, 2020 Aruna Subramaniam

Dr Ravi Kannan left a successful career and a comfortable life in Chennai to move to a remote area near Silchar, to treat thousands of underserved cancer patients. A personal tribute to his remarkable journey, as Chennai celebrates his Padmashri award.

Unethical medical practices a huge concern: Chennai nutritionist Divya Satyaraj

December 28, 2019 Swati Amar

Divya Satyaraj speaks to Citizen Matters on her work on health and nutrition among children, adolescents and pregnant women and the overall reforms needed in healthcare.

Decline in new HIV+ cases, but road to AIDS prevention still fraught with challenges

November 29, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

The good news, first: New HIV cases recorded in Chennai have steadily decreased over the past six years. The bad news: Taking intervention efforts to the ones who need it the most remains very difficult. As we approach World AIDS Day, a look at the scenario in the city.

Pollution red alert: Chennai’s Delhi moment is almost here

November 8, 2019 Mahesh V

Are you aware that on the afternoon of Nov 7th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) level in Velachery stood at 271, only marginally better than Delhi’s (282) at the same time? Both data from monitors and snapshots from different areas in the city show why we need urgent action on air pollution.

How can Chennai keep dengue at bay this rainy season?

November 1, 2019 News Desk

Chennai has already recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the state. With fresh spells of rain around the corner, what can citizens do to protect themselves from the disease?

From 1104 cases in August 2017 to just 196 this year: How Chennai is battling dengue

September 18, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Thanks to proactive measures by the Chennai Corporation, dengue incidence has shown significant decline in the city. But there’s more to be done and citizens must play an active role in that.

Chennai Buzz: City’s first Aadhaar Seva Kendra | Electric bus gets going | ECR cameras to nab traffic rule violators…and more

September 1, 2019 News Desk

On which route will you find Chennai’s first electric bus? What can the Aadhaar Seva Kendra help you with? And what is Chennai Metro’s latest initiative for its commuters? Catch all this and more in this weekly recap of news.

Golden hour, CPR and more: Life-saving lessons we should all know

August 9, 2019 Mahesh V

Chennai NGO Thozan, in collaboration with 108 ambulance services, conducted an awareness campaign in 73 city parks recently, with an aim to spread awareness on road safety among citizens. Here are some of the most important takeaways.

Know more about human milk banks in Chennai that are helping many new mothers

August 7, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Human milk banks store excess milk from lactating mothers and give them to others who have problems breastfeeding their infants. But ignorance and misconceptions prevent this facility from functioning optimally. Here’s what neonatologists have to say.

Meet Dr Jayakumar, MP-elect from Thiruvallur

May 28, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Dr K Jayakumar of the INC unseated the incumbent two-time MP from ADMK to win Thiruvallur. He has previously served as the Namakkal MLA.

North Chennai MP elect Kalanidhi Veeraswamy: “Kodungaiyur has to be shifted”

May 24, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

New MP Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy shares his plans for improving north Chennai, from closing the Kodangaiyur dump yard to decongestion of roads, from creation of jobs to infrastructure for fisherfolk.

லாபம் காணும் டாஸ்மாக்; அதிகரிக்கும் மது அடிமைத்தனம்

May 1, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

அதிகரிக்கும் மது அடிமைத்தனத்தை கையாள சென்னையில் போதிய சிகிச்சை மையங்கள் உள்ளனவா? அவற்றின் நிலை என்ன?

Shenoy Nagar residents fight to save Thiru Vi Ka Park

April 26, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Thiru Vi Ka park, which served as vital lung space for the neighbouring communities, has been closed to the public since 2011, when it was taken over for Metro construction. Now, with recent plans of the CMRL, the park and green cover may be lost forever, fear citizens.

Pallikaranai apartment shows the way towards greener living

April 24, 2019 B Naveen Aditya

An apartment complex in Pallikaranai has taken a multi-pronged approach towards sustainable living, with replicable changes in waste management, power generation and water conservation.

Zooming into the environmental problems of a growing Chennai

April 19, 2019 Amirtharaj Stephen

A look at the environmental issues that Chennai faced since the 2014 national elections, through the camera lens.

With crores in profits from TASMAC, can’t state do more for rehabilitation of addicts?

March 27, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Substance abuse and alcoholism are a major scourge in Chennai, as our earlier article showed. A visit to two government-maintained de-addiction centres in the city reveals glaring infrastructural lapses and shortage of skilled manpower.

தண்ணீரின் தடமே இல்லாமல் ஏரிகள் வரண்ட நிலமானது ஏன்?

February 28, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

ஆக்கிரமிப்பு மற்றும் அலட்சியப் போக்கால் சென்னையின் ஏரிகள் அவல நிலையில் உள்ளன. இதற்கு யார் காரணம்? நிவர்த்தி என்ன?

Why your waste is causing sleepless nights in Ezhil Nagar and R R Nagar

February 27, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Serious flaws in garbage collection and disposal, impractical solutions, and corruption to top it all — a public meeting discussed the chaotic waste management ecosystem in the city and how deeply it affects residents living near garbage dumps. However, citizens themselves hold the key to a better system.

With PM10 above national standards, why is Chennai still out of the clean air programme?

February 26, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Chennai is the only metro left out of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that lays down a framework to tackle air pollution in 102 cities have not met the clean air standards stipulated. Why is the city excluded, and what does it stand to lose as a result?