As many as 2165 patients, mostly children in the age group of 0-18 years were screened/examined during the 2-day special Health & Screening camp organized by the State National Health Mission (NHM) in collaboration with health and other line departments at Bhalwal Block. The special camp (April 7-8) was organized in connection with the World Health Day celebrations and as a part of on-going Swachhata Pakhwara.The line departments including, education, social welfare, revenue, PHE took active part in the camp and extended necessary support. The students of most of the schools of Bhalwal education zone, besides para-medical schools and local people also participated with enthusiasm and availed the benefits of the health camp.The inaugural function was attended by Mission Director, NHM, J&K, 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.
On the first day of the camp that was organized under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RSBK), 1100 children and adults were screened while as on second day, 1065 children and adults were screened/examined 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, 105 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 free sanitary pads.The students of Bhalwal Higher Secondary School and nearby Para-medical institutions presented a mesmerizing bonanza of theme-based cultural items, including skits and given effective message on health, sanitation, environment to the present gathering.
The children also gave live demo of hand washing which prevents from many unwanted diseases and infections.Giving details of the camp, Dr. Yashpal Sharma said that on the directions of Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat, the NHM in collaboration with other line departments organized this free screening-cum-health awareness camps for the rural masses and to educate them about various diseases, preventive measures, sanitation, and environment for the good health. During the camp, the specialists doctors have provided consultation to the people, especially the children and also given them free medicines. He expressed happiness over the unprecedented response of patients in the camp who availed the benefits of the event.Elaborating further, Dr. Yash 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.
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.Specialist consultations especially in Pediatrics, Ortho, ENT, Ophthalmology, Gynae, Physician and counseling is being given , besides awareness is being created among masses about various schemes being implemented under NHM, health education, hygiene demonstration of techniques of hand washing etc for creating healthy habits among the masses, especially children, he added.Giving details of state-wide health camps organized under the directions of the Minister on the occasion of World Health Day, the Mission Director informed that as many as 232 such free health camps were held across the State, mostly in the remote areas and over 47,000 patients were screened/examined and provided free consultancy and medicines.In Jammu division, 131 camps held and 21728 patients were screened/examined and provided treatment/free medicines. Similarly in Kashmir division, 101 camps were organized and as many as 23670 patients were examined and provided free medicines and health cards. He said such camps will be organized in the uncovered areas of the State in future and scheduled for the same will be notified in the leading news papers, he added.