Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (TP)
Karkala, Feb 23: The Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) organised a free medical check-up and treatment camp, on February 22, at the JCU Training School in Kukkundoor here.
ANF organised this medical check-up camp in association with Prasad Netralaya, Udupi, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, K Amarnath Shetty Charitable Trust, Moodbidri, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru, A J Cancer Institute and Indian Cancer Society, with the objective of safeguarding the health of tribal communities living in naxal-affected areas,
The camp was inaugurated by superintendent of police, Hariram Shankar, IPS, along with Dr Amarashri Amarnath Shetty, president of K Amarnath Shetty Charitable Trust and associate dean of A B Shetty Dental College, and other dignitaries present, by lighting the traditional lamp.
In his inaugural address, SP Hariram Shankar said that the camp was organised to deliver quality healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of tribal communities residing in remote Naxal-affected regions and to create awareness about health and hygiene among them.
About 60 specialist doctors participated in the camp and provided medical services to the beneficiaries.
A total of 136 members from tribal communities including Malekudiya, Hasalaru and Gowdru from naxal-affected regions of Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts benefited from the camp. In a notable initiative, villagers from remote areas who could not travel on their own were transported to the camp venue in ANF vehicles and were safely dropped back to their respective villages after the check-ups.
The camp included comprehensive screening for cancer, eye, ENT, dental, blood pressure, diabetes, obstetrics, gynaecology and dermatological conditions.
A total of 105 people were screened. Free spectacles will be distributed to 60 beneficiaries, while 15 individuals requiring cataract surgery will receive free treatment at Prasad Netralaya, Udupi. Sixty-five individuals underwent dental check-ups. Eighteen patients requiring advanced treatment were referred to A B Shetty Dental College and Bailur College. Seventy-four people were examined under general medicine. Five patients were referred to KMC Manipal Hospital for further treatment.
Breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening were conducted for 105 individuals. One suspected case of breast cancer was identified and referred to A J Cancer Institute, Mangaluru, for further evaluation. Cervical cancer screening samples from 28 women were collected, and further treatment will be provided after receiving the reports.
The event was attended by Dr Disha, A B Shetty Dental College; Dr Kamalakshi Shenoy, head of Radiation Oncology department, A J Cancer Institute; Dr Prem, Prasad Netralaya, Udupi; Dr Manisha, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal; Jayashree Amarnath Shetty, trustee K Amarnath Shetty Charitable Trust; Ashreetha P Shetty, trustee, Lakshmi Memorial Trust and director, A J Hospital and others.
Meals and refreshment arrangements were made for villagers and a medical team participated in the camp by the ANF. During the valedictory ceremony, all the doctors who rendered their services were felicitated with mementos by the ANF in recognition of their contribution.