Madras School of Social Work in association with Aide et Action, Chennai, conducted a multi-speciality camp for migrant workers and their children at KVK Mahal in Vanainchathiram near Red Hills on Sunday. As many as 557 beneficiaries belonging to the migrant population from Orissa and Uttar Pradesh were screened and given a free medical check-up during the camp.
Student volunteers from Madras School of Social Work, Mar Gregorios College of Arts and Science, Mogappair, and St Xavier’s College, Tirunelveli, participated in the camp.
Migrants who move from their home towns to other states in search of employment opportunities lack basic amenities including access to health care in their place of temporary settlement.
“Children were the primary target of the camp. The large adult turn-out indicates the poor health status and lack of facilities available to the migrants,” said Bosgo, project manager, AeA.
A team of 10 doctors including two general physicians, an eye specialist and a dentist headed by Chennai-based obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr S Geetha, conducted the check-ups. Sugar level test for about 145 persons and Hepatitis B test for 400 were conducted. The beneficiaries were given free medicines along with bathing soap and refreshments sponsored by ITC Limited.
Dr Geetha said, “About 90 per cent of the migrant adults and children we screened were anaemic. Skin ailments and dental issues were the other major problems we came across. We were glad to treat them as they were in dire need of medical attention.”
Cyril Martin, programme officer, AeA, said “We are grateful to the doctors who rendered their service for the underprivileged persons for whom access to health at their work area was only a dream. Thanks to them the beneficiaries walked out with a smile on their faces!”
The health check-ups will be organised in Chennai on a regular basis and will be followed up by support teams when the workers return to their respective states.