Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 13: The Department of Community Medicine, in collaboration with five specialities of the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, successfully conducted a free outreach health camp in the remote village of Tulail in Gurez, located in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The primary objective of the camp was to address the healthcare needs of the local community by providing essential medical services and consultations.
Led by a team of experienced Medical professionals, the health camp offered a wide range of services to the residents of Gurez, including free medical check-ups, radiology services, antenatal scans, ophthalmological examinations, orthopaedic consultations, and ENT examinations, among others.
“To ensure efficient healthcare delivery, the Medical team set up multiple examination and treatment stations, each catering to different healthcare needs. Medicine specialists conducted general health check-ups and prescribed medications for common illnesses,” stated officials from the GMC.
More than 500 patients received medical attention for various ailments during the camp. Common conditions observed among the patients included chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), acute pancreatitis (APD), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), fatty liver, febrile illness, scabies, dermatitis, and eczema.
“In the pediatric department, 62 cases of anaemia and URTI were identified. Furthermore, one case of cyanotic heart disease was diagnosed, and the patient was referred to the Children’s Hospital in Srinagar.”
The gynaecology and obstetrics department attended to 35 patients, including 13 expecting mothers who received antenatal care. Ear-related problems were prevalent among the patients, with 52 individuals seeking treatment. “Of these cases, the majority presented conditions affecting their ears, highlighting the significance of addressing ear issues within the community.”
Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, head of the Department of Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar, emphasized the pressing need for improved healthcare access in remote regions.
He underscored the importance of providing quality healthcare services at the doorstep of underserved communities, as the predominantly urban-driven healthcare system requires a shift to primary and secondary care in hard-to-reach areas. “This approach would ensure that people receive quality healthcare without having to travel to cities and towns, thereby reducing the burden on already overwhelmed hospitals,” he told Excelsior.
During the camp, two young siblings aged 4 and 3 years were diagnosed with congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL), highlighting the significance of early intervention. The ENT specialists advised the siblings to visit the ENT department at SMHS Hospital or any relevant hospital for further evaluation and management.
The health camp also conducted 65 abdominal ultrasound scans, which revealed noteworthy findings. Among the 18 patients, nine males and nine females were diagnosed with hepatic steatosis, while three patients had moderate hepatic steatosis. Additionally, three cases of cholelithiasis and two cases of hydronephrosis were identified.
In the ophthalmology department, 85 patients received care during the camp. The most common issues observed among the patients were congested pterygium, refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and cataracts.
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