More than 1,000 patients attended a health camp organised by the Lions Club of Mangalore Midtown, in association with Father Muller Medical College (FMMC) here on Sunday.
Dr. Das Acharya, Head of the Department, Community Medicine, FMMC, told The Hindu that 1,200 patients had registered by afternoon at the free medical check-up camp held at Vidya Jyothi Higher Primary School. Forty doctors had participated in the camp. Patients had come from Jyoti Nagar, Mullakadu, Kunjathbail, Kavoor, Shanthinagar, Bondel, and Panjemogaru.
“It is for the benefit of the general population, although more than 60 per cent of the patients are from BPL families,” he said.
Dr. Das Acharya said the health check-ups pertained to ENT, ophthalmology, paediatrics, dermatology, orthopaedics, cardiology, gynaecology, and general medicine-related conditions. The hospital organised one such camp every year and it was organised for the first time in this area, where a clinic of the hospital was also present.
Patients received free health cards (worth Rs. 150 and Rs. 50), which would hold good for any of their family members. Those needing spectacles would get them free of cost, in a week’s time, he said.
Geetha, who rolls beedis for a living, said that she, along with her daughters, had come to the camp for the health cards. Yashoda, a resident of Kunjathbail, who rolls beedis, said she had come because she could not see objects placed at a distance. Saira, a resident of Jyoti Nagar, said she had come to know about the camp from a teacher in the school where her son studied.
Ophthalmology and gynaecology sections drew the largest number of patients. Dr. Vidyashri Kamath said that 70 women had visited the gynaecology section. Dr. Poornima said that some of them were apprehensive about undergoing medical examinations as they were attending the camp for the first time.
Annie Philip, Zone Chairperson, Lions District 317-D, said the surrounding area was home to 3,000 BPL families. Last year, 900 patients had attended the camp in Mullakadu.
