Catholic nuns and medical professionals organized a free health camp for the slum dweller at Birla, Zuari Nagar in Goa, India on December 7.
The free medial camp was organized by Kiran Niketan Social Centre (KNSC) in partnership with Indian Social Institute (ISI) Bangalore.
KNSC is run by the Holy Family Sisters in Goa, India.
“Unlike the previous medical camps,” says Sister Phileshin D’Souza, the head of the KNSC. “This camp was near an Old Petrol Pump at Birla, away from the centre to benefit the slum dwellers in that locality.”
KNSC organizes regular medical camps at the centre for the poor and migrant population in the area.
Dr. Saeesh Mavalankar, from JMJ General Hospital at Porvorim in North Goa, volunteered for medical camps.
“It gives me inner peace and joy. I am glad to see many people benefitting from this camp,” Doctor Mavalankar said.
Sister D’Souza said that the free medical camp was organised keeping in mind the poor and underprivileged people who cannot afford quality treatment for their health problems.
The camp comprised of general health check-ups including blood group tests, diabetes, blood pressure and common health issues.
Ashwini Math, a resident from the area, acknowledged that she availed the opportunity after a long time to get a health check-up since there are no hospitals in the area and it costs to go to one.
“The doctors and staff are helpful, providing free medicines according to our health issues,” she said.
The beneficiary, mostly minors and women, express happiness for knowing their blood group.
“I never knew what is my blood group. This is the first medical heath camp I have ever been to,” says a fourteen-year-old, Laxmi Hiremath.
Another resident, Chanabassappa Chandrappa stated that “it is the first time that somebody thought of us how to take care of our health.”
“The people here are not aware of their blood group and this medical camp helped them know about it and create awareness. It also helped the parents know about their children’s deficiency and get medications for the same,” acknowledged Subhaya hiremath, a camp volunteer.
The nuns ran out of stock to cater to a demand of over 150 people who availed of the service. The majority of the beneficiaries were children and women.
Started in 1986, KNSC is situated at Lamani Colony Birla, Zuarinagar, Sancoale in Goa. The centre offers a ray of light to uplift the marginalised and deprived migrant slums of Birla Zuari Nagar. The slums of Zuari Nagar are mainly inhabited by migrants from different parts of India who come to Goa in search of a better future.
Other present at the camp were Father Simon Fernandes, SJ, director of Social Welfare Action through Democratic Empowerment of Society (SWADES), Dr. Saeesh Mavalankar, Sister Agnetha Sequeira JMJ, Sister Amala Xavier JMJ, Filsina Barwa, Lalita Kerkar, and Anshu Somy. JMJ Sisters offered medical assistance for the migrants.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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