HMRI: providing health care in rural areas

HMRI 104 team members providing health care at at Jagaram village of Jami mandal in Vizianagaram district. The common ailments reported among the villagers are fever, common cold and joint pains. Diabetes and high blood pressure are also on the rise in the rural areas. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

There was a steady stream of visitors to the ‘Ramalayam’ at Jagaram village in the mandal. The stage at the temple doubled up as a convenient venue for the Health Management Research Institute (HMRI) 104 service to conduct its fixed day medical camp on Monday.

Pharmacist Bharat and ANM Ashwini were seen examining the patients and giving them drugs. Asha workers P. Chellamma and P. Parvathi were seen assisting them.

“The common complaints among the villagers are cold, fever and cough. The incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure are also on the rise among the villagers. But, these complaints are seen mostly among those who are in their late 40s,” Mr. Bharat said. “We have examined 35 patients at Tavada and 40 here (Jagaram) today. The health awareness level among the villagers has increased and they come to the camp with their health cards,” he says. The HMRI ambulance visits the villages by turns once a month.