Free health camp for citizens for five years

MYSURU: The huge sums required to undergo tests for severe illnesses such as cancer often prove to be a limiting factors for those from the underprivileged sections of society to visit hospitals to get these checks done. In a bid to provide a common platform where, regardless of income, people can undergo medical tests, 20 organisations have teamed up with as many hospitals in the city to conduct ‘Arogya Mysuru’ under the theme, ‘The War Against Cancer’ – a free health camp that will continue for the next five years.
The camp will be held every alternate Sunday. Although the programme was officially launched on December 25 last year to mark former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, the camp is being popularised now.

Krishnaraja MLA SA Ramadas on Thursday said that the camp would provide people an opportunity to undergo various tests free of cost. “Hospitals will also provide treatment free of cost. This camp is not restricted to members of my constituency alone, but to everyone in Mysuru city. This is our effort to help the people. Besides allopathic treatment, we have also engaged experts in Ayurveda, Sidda and yoga. We will ensure there is a holistic approach to the treatment,” said Ramadas.

On e of the highlights of th e medical camp is the participation of doctors from Bengaluru-based hospitals such as Nimhans, Kidwai and Bowring. “Also, in or der to improve immunity in children, Swarna Bindu Prashasana will be administered to children below five,” the MLA said.

Sri Hari, who has been entrusted the responsibility of managing ‘Arogya Mysuru’, said that, besides offering free treatment, the camp aims to raise awareness about healthy habits in diet and physical fitness.

“We will also impart yoga lessons to keep people healthy, and we have already been assured of support from yoga schools in Mysuru,” Hari said. Besides cancer, those having problems related to joi nts, pulmonary organs, diabetes, et al, will be entitled to free treatment. The only requirement is that those wishing to avail of these benefits will have to bring an identity card (Aadhaar, ration or voter id).