Monday, December 27 2004 14:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) today (Dec 27, 2004) constituted an emergency crisis management group to reach out medical services to the States devastated by yesterday's (Dec 26, 2004) killer earthquake and tsunami waves.

The IMA, which decided to form the crisis management group at an emergency meeting during its three-day annual convention, which began in Bhubaneswar today, said it would rush doctors to all affected areas as soon as the State Government responded to their voluntary offer.

'The devastation has been enormous and would require emergency medical services as well as public healthcare follow-up interventions on a large scale. We would rush doctors to all affected States and are awaiting the individual State Government's requisition in this regard,' IMA national president Sudipto Roy told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

The crisis management group is being headed by IMA secretary general Vinay Aggarwal and would be chaired by Roy.

The group would comprise State committee presidents and general secretaries of the affected States Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Centre, all State Governments and IMA members across the country were alerted of the development and requested to extend voluntary services, he said.

The State Governments had also been asked to spell out what other kind of relief in terms of materials and services was required to meet the contingency.

A condolence message for the victims and their families was read out at the national convention here this morning and all cultural functions cancelled in view of the tragedy.

Roy said a truckload of fireworks requisitioned from Shivkashi for the valedictory function had also been returned.