Dolhari – Medical Camp

Dolhari – Medical Camp

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Team Suhrid had successfully conduced two big camps related to health and eye at Khand/Janathe Pada in addition to other follow-up camps in last six month. Apart from this, we helped the local schools in these regions, improve the infrastructure by providing fencing, gate, swing, Cupboards, Tables and computers. We also chalked out and launched the project SUN (Serving Undernourishment Needs) at Janathe Pada, which caters to the nutritional needs of the school kids.

Having achieved the initial objectives, team Suhrid decided to expand its horizon and replicate the model at other villages in Vikramgadh area. We identified the cluster of villages around Dolhari, which is roughly 105 Kms from Mumbai. With the help of local teachers, Sarpanch and responsible citizens, team Suhrid decided to have the first camp on 14th of April, 2013. There were a few more firsts in this camp. For the first time, we decided to have Health and Eye camp together at the large scale. Dolhari Gram Panchayat office was selected as the venue.

The response from the kids was exemplary. More than 325 kids were present for the camp even before it started. Team Suhrid rewarded them with the goodies bag at the end of the camp, which brought smile on every face. While team Suhrid got tremendous support from the locals, we realized that a lot is still to be done there. Successful execution of the camp at Dolhari laid the cornerstone towards the same.

Camp activity details

Parameter Value
Suhrid Foundation Medical Staff 5
Suhrid Foundation Volunteers 16
Total volunteers (including local support) 38
Villages covered 18
Volunteering hours spent 315
Patients checked 589
 

Medical Statistics

It was observed that more than 50% of children appeared to be undernourished. Some of the causes, risk factors because of which this can be attributed are:

  • Age of mother: 18 – 23 yrs (and also underweight mother)
  • Illiterate mother
  • More than three children
  • Less birth spacing (at times less than 2 yrs)
  • Low birth weight

While this was observed in children, this also was prevalent in large number of adults.
Prolonged malnutrition when extended to adults results into:

  • lower-limb weakness,
  • neuropathy,
  • hearing loss,
  • eye problems

From the perspective of eyes, acute Vitamin A deficiency, excessive exposure to ultra-violet rays in Sun, delaying the checkup or operation and complete negligence of the early signs – were the key reasons for the eyes related ailment. This also indicates that lack of  education and availability of healthcare services are the factors causing  this.

Parameter Value
Patients checked 589
Patients given tetanus vaccination 272
Patients checked for eyes 250
#8211; Patients requiring glasses 119 #8211; Patients identified for cataract 36
 

Picture Gallery

Team started from Mumbai at 7am in a mini bus and 2 cars.
A quick breakfast on the way ensured that the time is not spent on reaching at the camp location.
Patients/participants of the health check-up camp were already waiting for Team Suhrid to reach.
 
Team Suhrid was warmly welcomed by village team including school teachers. The road in the front of camp was also decorated with beautiful Rangoli.
The eight hour long camp was kicked off at 10 AM by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati.
Volunteers managing the queues and registration desks.
 
The Grampanchayat Office of Dolhari village was already crowded for eagerly waiting patients.
After the registration, the villagers were given precautionary medicines for worms and tetanus injections.
Dr Lipsa checking young patient.
 
Long queues outside the cabins of doctors.
Dr Shanti checking young kids. Local volunteers helping doctor with communication.
As the last step of the health check-up, villagers were moved to eye camp. In this picture, volunteers are guiding patients. The young kid in the picture was required to be brought to hospital to address near-blindness situation due to congenital cataract.
 
Qualified optometrists carrying out examinations.
Dr Trupti, opthalmologist, carried out complete examination post check-up by optometrists.
Along with check-up, medicines were also distributed to patients. Volunteer explaining dosage of medicine to patient.
 
Children who attended camp also enjoyed goodies offered by team.
Volunteering ensuring the documentation is done before the patients are sent back.
A welcome lunch break - at one of the village leaders Mr Dattu Bahiram - was much enjoyed by team Suhrid.
 
Team posing for group picture in front of the house if village leader.
Post lunch session also saw a big rush. Volunteer at registration desk.
Doctors and volunteer dispensing medicine.
 
Dr Bimal checking patient.
Another team of volunteers.
The rush of villagers continued till 5.30 pm. Support from school teachers and local volunteers was overwhelming.
 
Lastly, it was turn of local volunteers and teachers to get themselves checked! :-)
And the ritual of group picture of volunteers at camp venue. In spite of 8 hours of rigorous volunteering tasks, the tiredness is not seen!! Thanks.
 

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