How many unidentified patients are in Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital ward?

There are currently 23 unidentified patients in the hospital's rehabilitation ward.

What efforts are made to identify and reunite patients with families?

The hospital uses interim names, police assistance to match with missing-person reports, and checks for Aadhaar or phone numbers to trace families.

What happens to patients who cannot be reunited with their families?

Patients who cannot be reunited may be shifted to city homes or find opportunities for employment within the hospital.

Home / Health / Chennai Hospital Cares for Unidentified Patients

Chennai Hospital Cares for Unidentified Patients

30 Jan

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Summary

A Chennai hospital houses 23 unidentified patients needing special care.
Staff use interim names and languages to identify and communicate.
Some patients are reunited with families, while others find new paths.

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.