Kiran Niketan Social Centre, Zuarinagar organised a free General Medical health camp for the underprivileged and distressed migrants at Hanuman Mandir Math, a slum at the outskirts of Goa on 7 December 2021. This camp was held away from the centre of the city so that the people from the interior of the slum could avail the benefits of the health check-up. The Director Sr. Phileshin said that the camp was organised keeping in mind the poor and underprivileged people who cannot afford to go for a quality treatment for their health problems.
A young girl of 14, Laxmi Hiremath was perplexed and excited about checking her blood group for the first time. “Most of us do not know our blood group. This is the first medical health camp I have ever been to”, said Laxmi. Many of the children have never checked their blood group. There was a sense of joy and excitement after knowing their blood group and they joyfully expressed it to one another. The camp consisted of general health check-up, including blood group test, diabetes and blood pressure check-up among other things.
70-year-old Mr. Chanabassappa Chandrappa expressed “This camp is beneficial to all. It is the first time somebody has thought of us. We are happy with this gesture and the good work done. I am diabetic, I need medicine daily. Doctors have given me medicines which will last for one month. I am grateful to the organisers”.
Ms. Ashwini Math, residing in the locality and a student at St. Joseph Convent High School, attended the medical camp. After her checkup, she expressed gratefully “Doctors and staff are very good, understanding, patient and co-operative. After a long time, I got an opportunity to get the health checkup done. It is not always possible to go to the hospitals as they are far and charge exorbitant fees. This is great as the doctors also provide free medicines as per our health issues”.
Subhaya Hiremath, another resident of the locality who was actively involved in helping the children and elders during the camp said, “The camp has brought doctors to our doorsteps. In our busy work schedule, we ignore and compromise with our health issues. But this camp has given us the scope to see the doctor at our convenience. I had been feeling drowsy for some time. The doctor checked and told me I have low pressure. I have been given medicines accordingly”.
“I always opt for the medical camps for the distressed migrants and underprivileged locals, for it gives me inner peace and joy. I am glad to see many deserving people benefitting from this camp”, said the resource person, Dr. Saeesh Mavalankar.
A total of 163 people benefitted from the medical camp, out of which 110 were children, 53 were adults, 44 women and 9 men. Besides the social work staff, there was a doctor, Dr. Saeesh Malvankar and five nurses namely Sr. Agnetha Siqueira, Sr. Amala Xavier, Ms. Filsina Barwa, Ms. Lalita Kerkar and Ms. Anshu Somy from the JMJ Hospital, Porvorim. The medicines were provided free of cost according to the health issues of the patients.
Sr. Pileshin D’Souza, SFN
Director, Kiran Niketan Social Centre, Zuarinagar