The four day free health camp in Kozhikode district of Kerala by US based India Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) to provide free medical services to poorest of poor population attracted more than 1700 patients in first 3 days of four day free health camp, who were also provided with free investigation of vital health signs and free medicines.The first free health camp was organized in Omassary village of Kozhikode district, on Thursday, March 3rd where more than 600 patients were treated.On Friday, March 4th, the free health camp was organized in village Chennamangloor, where 555 patients were treated.On Saturday, March 5th, the health camp was organized in Mukkam where more than 500 patients were treated. “My four year old son, Akshay was coughing since last two months. I am working as a salesman in a local shop and couldn’t afford to take my son to a good hospital in Kozhikode city. When I came to know about the free health camp, I brought my son here and doctors here diagnosed him with bronchitis and gave him free medicines,” said Ramesh,40, who lives in Ahayankunn, Mukkam.
Importantly, the annual Indian Health Initiative, a program created by American based India Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) to provide free medical services to economically disadvantaged members of society in India is in its 7th consecutive year.Every year, IMRC assemble team of doctors from the United States of America to volunteer for the health camps. The medical camps are organized for three weeks in semi slums and rural areas of different states to target poor patients. This year 10 US based NRI doctors with different specialties are providing free medical services.“This initiative has shown that many illnesses afflicting the poor are preventable, and that these medical conditions are worsened mostly because of poverty, ignorance, and lack of hygiene,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed.Manzoor Ghori, founder and Executive Director of Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC), said, “This year we conducted first free medical camp in rural Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh) from February 20-23, 2016 where we treated 1500 patients and also provided with free pathological tests, X ray and free medicines. Later, we conducted medical camp in slum areas of Hyderabad from February 26-29th where we treated 2300 patients. Now in Kerala we have treated more than 1700 patients in first 3 days of four day medical camp.”The last free health camp of IMRC’s 7th Indian Health Initiative will be organized on March 6 in Engapuza village of Kozhikode district.