Srinagar: Free Medical Health Check up camp was held at Sheikh – Ul –Alam Memorial Degree College, District Budgam for needy patients. This camp was jointly organised by Mumbai based NARGIS DUTT FOUNDATION (NDF), CANCER PATIENTS AID ASSOCIATION (CPAA) and Srinagar based H N WANCHOO TRUST (HNWT).
The camp was formally inaugurated on 15th July by J&K Bank Director on Board Mr. Ashraf Mir, M.D ALBA Power Nisar Baba, M. D Shiraz Travels Iqbal Bakshi, Aries Agro Rep in presence of Principal SAM Degree College Prof Rafiya Rashid , Trustee NDF Ms. Nikita Padora , Ex Director CPAA Ms. Anita Peter, Chairman HNWT Dr Amit Wanchoo, Dr Deeba, Bashir Ahmad, Musharaf Rehman, Special team of doctors, paramedics , volunteers and people of Budgam. The camp was supported by J&K Bank, Alba power, Aries Agro and Shiraz travels. Prof Rafiya Rashid, Principal SAM Degree College Budgam formally welcomed organisers, Guests, Participants and volunteers. Dr Joshi gave a brief intro about focus, working and follow up of such medical camps.
Ashraf Mir in his inaugural address complimented organisers and committed full support of J&K Bank for such initiatives, He further said, “This camp is the need of hour and we have to focus on guidance and right counselling for general patients and in particular cancer patients Cancer can be fought and the will of the patient is very important.” Nisar Baba congratulated organisers and felt an emotional connect with the camp. He said, “Sponsoring a camp is the easiest thing but coordinating and organising it on ground is what matters.” During the inaugural session one minute silence and prayer was held in honour of Dr Girija Dhar and Dr Naseer Shah, who were always great supporters of such initiatives. Camp also remembered Mr. Nazir Bakshi, who would render his service to such humanitarian causes during his whole life.
Camp saw huge rush of patients of all ages and from all areas of District Budgam and even from other adjoining districts like Srinagar, Ganderbal and Pulwama. Total numbers of patients registered and treated were around 1000. Health camp was attended by lot of teenagers, Old aged patients, kids and females. Aziza who had come from pallar, District Budgam said, “After meeting these doctors and complete check up, I feel so relaxed. I wish that these doctors come to Budgam at least twice a year.” Another patient named Altaf Ahmad from Nuslapora had all the praise for the whole team. “We were around eight patients from our village and everyone is so satisfied with the treatment. This camp is very nicely organised and you can get checked for all things.”
Facilities provided at the camp included examination by Physicians, Surgeons, Gynaecologists, ENT specialists. Free Blood tests, free medicine distribution and special counselling sessions. The camp was very well organised and saw huge participation of NSS volunteers from Degree College, Budgam. Both boys and girls were actively involved in helping, guiding and assisting patients. Nikita Padora while talking to media persons commented, “I am so happy that finally this health camp is happening in Budgam. It has taken us a planning of three months and after interacting with patients I personally feel satisfied. I am myself Kashmiri and have loads of weakness for this place and people. An old lady patient who was happy to receive treatment gifted me with an Eclair from her pocket which is priceless for me.”
Students had an interactive session with experts and learned various facets about counselling. Experts from CPAA and NDF also taught students about various negative effects of Tobacco and how to counsel patients suffering from excessive smoking so that they get relieved of this addiction. Anita Peter during an interactive session with media said, “Honestly I had not thought that we will get such a good response. It has been heart warming experience for all of us. Hopefully we will organise many more such camps in Kashmir valley.” Social activist and Philanthropist Dr Amit Wanchoo thanked both the organisations and team of experts for coming to Kashmir and giving their time for the patients. “It gives you immense pleasure when you see a six year old child and 60 year old patient leaving the camp smiling and satisfied. I feel that is the real gift. Our Trust will be trying its best to organise such camps all across the state especially in areas where people can’t afford treatments and have less options.” Health camp over all got support from every corner in the district including principal, Staff and Students of SAM Degree College, Electrical Deptt especially Mr Ajaz JE, Mr Abbas from Pharmaceutical team, Deputy Commissioners office, Civil society, Academicians, Doctors, CMO team and all others.
