CHANDIGARH, JULY 5: As a part of the Partnership Initiative Programme with the active involvement of NGOs for improving the quality of life of our people, the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General (Retd.) Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, today inaugurated a Health Mela in Colony No.4, aimed at giving free healthcare services and counseling by specialists to the disadvantaged and minorities where the incidence of mal-nutrition, anemia, diabetes, heart problems, Ortho, ENT and dental disorders are high.
The unique event, organized by the Health Department of Chandigarh Administration with the active involvement of Indian Medical Association (IMA), health professionals and community leaders attracted a huge response and the patients from all age groups, including women and children, availed the opportunity of specialized treatment for various ailments. In this health Mela, the services of specialists from various departments namely Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Skin, ENT, Eye and Dental have been made available for consultation along with laboratory and other tests.
Accompanied by Mrs. Jean Rodrigues, Home Secretary,Mr. Ram Niwas, Medical Superintendent, Dr. N.K. Arora, and other senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration, General Rodrigues went round the healthcare stalls and interacted with the doctors and para-medical staff. He called for a systematic approach and comprehensive healthcare programmes, by harmonizing all services and the mobilization of collective action, with the participation & involvement of NGOs and the community at large. He said that the objective of such health camps can only be realized, if our health teams follow up the various programmes. He said that the medical professional could play a significant role in this by generating an awareness of healthy living styles.He asked the members of medical fraternity to increase the outreach of our healthcare system to every household, through Mobile Vans, healthcare workers along with possible diagnostic facilities.
Interacting with the NGOs and social activists, General Rodrigues
exhorted them to work with commitment, sincerity and genuinely involve them in these programmes to address the problems of needy people. He said that the problems of health related issues including drug addiction, female feticide, AIDS etc. are of huge dimensions which needs a collective action-oriented and practical structural approach at all levels to tackle. He told them that it is our joint responsibility to transform the lives of needy people by adopting multi-pronged strategies and extend them help to lead a life of dignity and pride. He impressed upon the social activists, especially the women, to show concern and commitment to educate public opinion against the unethical practice of infanticide and tackle it with mass community support. He mentioned that NGOs and concerned people from the society must come forward to check the harassment of women and evil of domestic violence in their localities and help the victims in their rehabilitation and empowerment. He said that the Chandigarh Administration has opened well equipped homes and empowerment centers for women, street children, mentally retarded, crippled people and impressed upon the NGOs to visit these modern establishments and integrate their welfare programmes with them to achieve the desired results. He said that Partnership Initiative Programme launched in Union Territory with Mr. Ram Niwas, Home Secretary as the Nodal Authority for coordination has given a new impetus to the voluntary service and the process needs to be further taken up vigorously to make it a mass movement.
Dr. N.K. Arora, Medical Supdt. and Dr. G. Dewan, Medical Officer
Health, Municipal Corporation who were instrumental for organising this Mela said that this key health programme being organized under the National Rural Health Mission has provided a good platform to render health services in colonies and villages for the disadvantaged sections. A sanitation campaign was also organized in the locality as part of this programme in partnership with citizens awareness group.
Prominent NGOs which participated in this Health Mela included Sai Tara Ummat Foundation, Live Life More Foundation, Patanjali Yog Samiti, Citizens Forum of Women Rights, Indian Medical Associations, Tushan Foundation, Youth United, National Integrated Medical Association and Brema Pharma.