Palavpada-Anantpur-Medical Camp-Phase 3

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Team Suhrid visited Palavpada-Anantpur to complete the last leg of the medical camps on 24-Oct-2015.  We were to examine around 120 students from two schools in the same area. Despite of it being holiday, the teachers and the students were present well ahead of the time.

Majority of the kids had ear related problems, which were the result of constant ignorance of chronic cold and poor hygiene. Eye related diseases was the next big challenge. Shortsightness, constant watering and headache affected at least 30% of the kids. Enriched mid-day meal and pure water did show improvement in general health and specially the skin.

With this, we covered almost 95% of the kids from 10 schools and almost 96% have been given Tetanus injection. The kids were distributed medicines, which included medicines for fever, cough and cold, calcium, folic acid, antibiotics, stomach ailments, eye infections, ear problems etc. Key findings from the camp:

• Teeth were clean – no plaque. Cavities did exist, but they were non-infected due to regular brushing.
• Overall deworming has improved due to Swacch Daant Abhiyan. We could see improvement in nutrition also due better oral hygiene
• Ear infection problem has remained the same or worsened and have reached middle-ear infection in some cases. Special attention would have to be given to these kids.
• One of the student from the school was found to be suffering from epileptic seizures at his house since 2 days. He was taken to hospital in ambulance and post 3 days of observation and medication, he is returned.

We also visited Toplepada Anganwadi – their first medical checkup. For your information, this Anganwadi was taken under Suhrid Foundation support only in the month of Jule 2015. It was quite interesting to see kids cooperating very well during the camp. Most of these kids would be joining Toplepada school, which means they would be in our supervision for at least 6 to 7 years. We have also provided basic first-aid medicines to Anganwadi teacher. Key observations from Anganwadi checkup:

• Almost 80% of the children were found to be Protein and Vit D deficient. Started Ayurvedic medicines for muscle strengthening.
• One of the child was diagnosed with epilepsy. Would be taken up for advanced treatment in Mumbai

We had already conducted one round of Optometric tests in all our schools. We have completed second round as well. This would be followed by a comprehensive ophthalmic camp (End of November) for the kids, who have been earmarked for eye tests.

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