Bastar outreach: Ambulances, medical teams reach villages first time since Independence; 989 treated

RAIPUR: Sirens blared and ambulances rolled in with a convoy of doctors and paramedical staff, taking healthcare to the heart of one of the worst Maoist-affected areas - Bhairamgarh block of Bastar's Bijapur district.

Surprised villagers who have seen nothing of this kind ever since Independence queued up along the village roads. With Naxalism on the wane and under the Chhattisgarh govt's rehabilitation policy for surrendered Maoists, the district administration organised a two-day medical camp on Monday and Tuesday. Among the beneficiaries were 54 elderly citizens and dozens of children. One young boy diagnosed with a congenital heart defect will be provided advanced treatment under the Chirayu Yojana, officials said. According to district data, doctors conducted 777 general check-ups, 371 blood pressure tests, 344 oral cancer screenings, 112 breast cancer examinations, 199 eye check-ups, 154 dental consultations, 14 vaccinations, eight full immunisations, 156 malaria screenings, seven tuberculosis tests and treated 24 cases of diarrhoea and dehydration. Among the beneficiaries were 54 elderly citizens and dozens of children.

One young boy diagnosed with a congenital heart defect will be provided advanced treatment under the Chirayu Yojana, officials said. The mega medical outreach campaign reached seven remote villages deep inside Bhairamgarh block accompanied by teams of specialists from a private hospital in Raipur, Jagdalpur Medical College, Bhairamgarh community health centre and Bijapur district hospital, led by chief medical and health officer Dr B R Pujari. A total of 989 villagers received medical care during the drive, officials said.