Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: A mega OPD camp was organized here today by Fortis Escorts Heart Institute to screen patients.
The team of doctors led by Dr T S Kler, Executive Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (FEHI), Dr Vijay Kher, Chairman, Urology & Renal Transplantation, Fortis Escorts Kidney and Urology Institute (FEKUI) and Dr Ajay Kumar, Executive Director, Gastroenterology, Fortis Escorts Liver and Digestive Institute (FELDI), New Delhi screened almost 75 patients at the day-long camp.
The objective of the OPD was to offer quality healthcare access facilities to incoming patients in the region as the city does not have proper or fully equipped hospitals or health centres and has only a few nursing homes.
Many of the patients screened were suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes or were having symptoms of kidney disease including kidney stones. Many of them also complained of chronic gastro-intestinal problems. All the patients screened at the camp were counseled on preventive and corrective measures that can be taken to prevent/manage their health.
Dr T S Kler said, “The presentations at the camp revealed that rural population and those residing in Tier II cities are also equally vulnerable to non-communicable diseases/lifestyle diseases as their urban counterparts. Lack of awareness about preventive health and high tobacco consumption presents several risk factors to cardio-vascular diseases.”
Dr Vijay Kher shared that this type of OPD camps offer us a vital opportunity to screen members of the public suffering from any ailment or disorder and transmit key messages on preventive and promotive health. Dr Kher added that the availability of fewer critical care set ups leads to delayed diagnosis of major ailments arising from lifestyle diseases.
Dr Kumar stated that the biggest challenge that Jammu faces is that it has a severe shortage of doctors and staff nurses along with quality health infrastructure. “There is a need for other stakeholders and health specialists like us to step in and lend a helping hand. This OPD camp is a step in this direction”, he added.
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