7,057 persons screened so far in four ‘Nalam Kaakkum Stalin’ camps

Of the 7,057 persons screened at ‘Nalam Kaakkum Stalin’ medical camps organised in the district so far, 82 patients, mostly with cardiac ailments, have been referred to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital or a nearby Government Hospital for further free medical treatment as they have been diagnosed with specific health issues for the first time.

After the medical camps were formally launched on August, they are being held on every Saturday in rural and urban areas with the objective of screening the health of poor and middle class families, which cannot afford the master health checkup programmes that cost up to ₹5,000 per person. The district administration has planned to organise 30 camps in the district on every Saturday.

Physicians and surgeons from the Departments of General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, Physiotherapy and Indian Medicine are present in the camp. Special emphasis is given to screen the people for diabetes, hypertension, ECG, blood analysis etc. The results of the investigations are handed over to the patients immediately.

Since prevalence of cancer has become common, oncologists have also been posted in the camps to check the visitors for a range of cancers, particularly cervical cancer and breast cancer. Patients requiring further treatment are being referred to the nearby government hospital or Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.

Moreover, arrangements have been made to clinically screen the visitors and give certificates to the differently-abled, identity card for Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.

In the first three medical camps organised at Thisaiyanvilai in Radhapuram union, Kallidaikurichi in Cheranmahadevi union and Kalakkad in Kalakkad union, 5,476 persons were screened by specialists from different departments. Sixty-seven were found to be in need of continuous medical assistance and treatment and they were referred to TVMCH for further treatment.

At the medical camp conducted in Palayamkottai on Saturday, 15 of the 1,877 persons were referred to TVMCH for specialised treatments.

“These patients will not be charged for the medical investigations and the specialised treatments in the government hospitals and the TVMCH. They will receive the medical care and the medication until they are completely cured,” said health officials, who urge women to get screened for cervical and breast cancers.

“Since women, even the educated ones, are reluctant to speak about or get screened for these dreaded diseases, the treatment we start after the detection in the last stage will not yield desirable results. Hence, women should volunteer for undergoing screening for cervical and breast cancers,” doctors say.