SVASTHYA (RURAL HEALTH CAMP)

5th November 2017

A previous visit to Zugarewadi (a village at the border of Thane and Ratnagiri districts) by faculty (Dr. Vaishali Londhe & Dr. Archana Upadhya) and two students (Ms. Rashmi Quamar and Ms. Rujuta Ghorpode) caused the team to be introduced Mr. Kajale, a school teacher at the Zilla Paridshad School of Zugarewadi, who apprised them of the poor health and sanitation conditions of the village. The village was in dire a need for a heath check-up for its occupants and information about the value of education for girls and other issues. Thus Zugarewadi was chosen as the site for SPPSPTM’s annual rural health camp set up. After consultation with the villagers, 5th Nov 2017 was chosen as the date of setting up of the health camp at the village.

On 5th November 2017, a fine Sunday a team of faculty (Dr. Amisha Vora, Dr. Prashant Kharkhar, Dr. Vaishali Londhe & Dr. Archana Upadhya), non-teaching staff (Mr. Mangesh Lanjekar, Mr. Shailesh, Mr. Ravindra), student volunteers from the Kshamta committee of SPPSPTM along with a team of doctors started for the village Zugarewadi. The team of doctors were well equipped to conduct check-up of body mass index, blood, eye, teeth, skin and lungs. A gynaecologist of repute Dr. Shalini Mishra also accompanied to team to address the feminine problems of the village occupants. Trucks loaded with clothes, books, mattresses, stationery etc that were collected by students of SPPSPTM through donation drives also found their way to the sleepy village.

On arrival at the village the team were felicitated briefly before the student volunteers set up camp and the villagers gathered for their free health check –up. Seminars were also organized by the students wherein the importance of drinking boiled water, health issues that could arise due to open defecation, prevention of accumulation of dirty water around homes were stressed upon. The villagers were advised to change their lifestyle and to promote the change; free toothbrushes, toothpastes, and sanitary napkins were distributed amongst the villagers as well.

The collections from the Donation Drive had filled up over 220 large boxes, and did consist of neatly packed clothes, books, mattresses, stationery, toys and even bicycles. All of these goodies were distributed to each and every villager with great joy.

Svasthya 2017 was a great success for Kshamta as it was both, a challenge and experience like no other. It was made possible because of our title sponsor L N Khetan Trust and co-sponsor, SVKM’S International Institute of Studies and SVKM’S NMIMS. We are indeed indebted to our Dean, Dr. Bala Prabhakar to encourage and promote such endeavours.

For Team Kshamta, this mega event unveiled a completely different dimension of the society where we as responsible individuals, could unleash the potential within us to bring about a positive change in multiple lives.