By TCN News
Barabanki (UP): US-based Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) organised a four-day free health check-up cum awareness camps for the poor and needy in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh as part of its annual Indian Health Initiative (IHI).
Over 1,500 patients were examined and provided with free pathological tests, X-ray and free medicines.
Every year, IMRC assembles a team of doctors from the US to volunteer for health camps to provide medical care to economically weaker sections of the society who otherwise would not be able to afford the high cost of treatment. The IHI, which is now in its seventh year, sees medical camps organized for three weeks in slums and rural areas of different states to target the most deserving patients.
“Three months ago, I slipped while walking on the road. Being poor, I went to local govt. hospital where doctors treated me for a fractured arm but I used to feel excruciating pain every day until I came to this camp. Here doctors confirmed after the X-ray that I don’t have any fracture and there was some limitation with my arm muscles,” said Noorjahan, 70, from Village Ajganai, Barabanki.
Dr. John Rosenberg, a physician who has been volunteering for the health camps since IHI inception said, “In last four days of medical camp, I came across three patients of active Tuberculosis whom I referred to specialised government hospitals. Most of the patients coming here are having pneumonia and anaemia, besides having abdominal pains due to unsafe drinking water.”
“I saw hundreds of young patients with infection in lungs, stomach and skin. Also we had some patients with seizures,” added Dr M Kamil Ahmed, a paediatrician volunteering for IHI.
Manzoor Ghori, Executive Director, IMRC said, “Due to lack of access to medical care, poor population of this country is at the receiving end of getting diagnosed at the final stages of diseases. With these health camps we are also making sure those poor patients apart from getting the medical treatment also open up to the preventive care of treatment.”From February 26 to 29, free medical camps will be held in Hyderabad and from March 3 to March 6, they will be held in Kerala.