To mark the World Health Day-2018 and as a part of on-going Swachhata Pakhwara, the State National Health Mission (NHM) in collaboration with health, ISM and other allied departments organized a mega 2-day free Health & Screening camp at Bhalwal Block near here today.The local administration including, education, social welfare, revenue, PHE and other departments also took active part in the camp. The students of most of the schools of Bhalwal education zone, besides para-medical schools also participated with enthusiasm and availed the benefits of the health camp.Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Sameer Mattoo, Director Health Services, Dr. Gurjeet Singh, SDM North, Mohammad Illiyas Khan, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sanjay Turki, Deputy Director Health (Hqs) Dr. Chander Prakash, Deputy Director Schemes, Dr. Dimple, ZEO, Bhalwal, Tersem Lal Gorka, BMO, Bhalwal, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed and sectoral officers of various departments were present on the occasion.On the first day of the camp that was organized under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RSBK), more than 1200 children from Anganwadi Centres and local schools in the age group of 0-18 years were screened by a team of senior doctors of health and ISM departments and provided them health cards. The children suffering with minor health problems were given free medicines like de-worming tablets, age appropriate Vitamins doses and their parents were counseled for taking various preventing measures for the good health of their wards. Out of these, 24 children were identified for providing financial assistance under RBSK for getting treatment at tertiary care health institutions. The adolescent girls were also given counseling on Menstrual Hygiene and were provided with more than 200 free sanitary pads. The children were also provided refreshment by the organizers.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yashpal Sharma said that on the directions of Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat, the NHM in collaboration with other line departments will organize such health awareness camps, health melas in every block for the benefits of rural masses to educate them about various diseases, preventive measures, sanitation, and environment for the good health. During the camps, the specialists doctors will give consultations to the people, especially the children and also provide them free medicines. He expressed happiness on the first day’s performance wherein over 1000 children were examined and provided necessary medicines and expert advice. He said more than 2000 children will be screened and provided free consultancy and medicines during the camp.Elaborating further, the Mission Director, NHM said that the objective of such camps is to enhance outreach of healthcare to every individual at their doorstep and the NHM has been making sincere efforts in this direction to help the needy patients. During the camps, main thrust is being laid on screening of children from schools and anganwadi of difficult areas who could not be screened by the RBSK Mobile health teams during their routine screening in schools and to provide them with free specialist consultation especially in Pediatrics, Ortho, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gynae, Physician and counseling in order to ensure on-spot treatment. Awareness is being created among masses about various schemes of NHM, health education, hygiene demonstration of techniques of hand washing and de-worming to create healthy habits among the masses, especially among children, he added.He expressed gratitude to all line departments for their valuable support to make this mega camp a grand success. He also appealed the locals to visit the camp in large number and avail benefits of various faculties under one roof. He also extended his gratitude to the doctors, staff of health, ISM department, social welfare department, SDM, North, ZEO, Bhalwal for their active participation in the noble cause.