Chennai Hospital Cares for Unidentified Patients

At Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, a special ward serves as a sanctuary for 23 unidentified patients, referred to as 'John Does' and 'Jane Does.' These individuals, varying in age and speaking diverse languages, are undergoing treatment for multiple ailments and require specialized care. Staff have given interim names, such as Govindamma to a woman recovering from an accident, to facilitate their stay.

The hospital actively works towards reuniting these patients with their families. This process often involves police assistance to match individuals with missing-person reports. In a recent success, a 50-year-old man from Nepal with dementia was reunited with his family. However, not all reunion attempts are successful, with one 60-year-old patient's family refusing to take him back.

For those who cannot be reunited, the hospital explores options like city homes or even employment within the hospital. Some recovered patients contribute to hospital sanitation or assist with errands, funded by doctors. This dedicated ward highlights the hospital's commitment to providing care and a chance for a new beginning for those without immediate family support.