KARGIL DAY AT TIRUNELVELI WITH A FREE MEDICAL CAMP

Dr.A.Arunagiri, MD examining a patient. The organisers
Flt.Lt.M.P.Natarajan, Dr.Md.Shafi, Sgt.R.Chellappa,
P.O. Gurusamy standing behind from L to R.

KARGIL DAY AT TIRUNELVELI WITH A FREE MEDICAL CAMP
BY EX-SERVICEMEN & SOCIAL WELFARE TRUST

The Kargil day was remembered with a Free Medical camp for the benefit of the non-pensioner (ex-servicemen) and their families at Tirunelveli on 25.07.2009.

The Ex-serviceman & Social Welfare Trust (EXWEL TRUST) , The Tirunelveli District Ex-servicemen Welfare Association and Nellai Shifa Hospital joined together and conducted a free medical camp for the benefit of non-pensioner ex-servicemen & their families (2^nd Word War Veterans) on 25.07.09 Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM at Ex-servicemen Canteen complex, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli.

About 175 ex-servicemen, their families and few poor public also attended the medical camp. The Shifa Hospital (the ECHS empanelled Hospital in the city) provided specialist medical officers and Para medical staff and necessary medicine for the camp. General checkup, diabetic screening and eye screening test was carried to all those who have attended the camp.

16 cases were identified for Cataract surgery at the camp. 11 patients came up for cataract surgery and successfully completed their treatment on 27.07.09 and left home. Arrangements are made to give treatment to the remaining as and when they report to the hospital on any day.

Most of the people who attended the camp are ex-servicemen non-pensioners above age of 60 years. Nearly 75% of the group is suffering from diabetics, hypertension, knee joint paint etc and cataract. As far as possible suitable medical advice with 10 days medicine was provided at the camp.

The Officer I/c ECHS Polyclinic, Tirunelveli and its staff members including the medical officers visited and helped to conduct the camp smoothly. The ex-servicemen canteen Manager Lt.Col. Paliath Shyam Prasad (Retd.) and the Assistant Director of Ex-servicemen Welfare Major Va.Sree.Jayakumar (Retd.) were very much helpful for the successful conduct of the medical camp.

What we observed from the medical camp ?

1. A number of ex-servicemen, who are eligible to join the ECHS are also attending the free medical camp which was meant for non-pensioners. (These men were advised to join the ECHS immediately)

2. A large number of 2^nd world war veterans and their families in the age group of 65 to 75 are in need of medical help in the form of medicines for chronic illness such as diabetic, hypertension, arthritis.

3. There are around 150 non-pensioners in the age group of 65 to 75 are in need of cataract surgery.

4. Many aged persons attended the camp of their own. Neither their children nor their grand children accompanied them even though they are blessed with one. This shows that no one cares for the aged in the homes, more so if they do not have any pension.

The EXWEL TRUST is making all efforts to conduct more and more free medical camps for these people in the coming days.

THE AUTHOR OF THE EX-SERVICEMEN & SOCIAL WELFARE TRUST SGT.R.CHELLAPPA (RETD) IS SERIOUSLY THINKING OF STARTING AN OLD AGE HOME EXCLUSIVELY FOR EX-SERVICEMEN & THEIR FAMILIES.

THERE ARE LOT OF AGED EX-SERVICEMEN EVEN WITH GOOD AMOUNT OF PENSION ARE SUFFERING LONELY AND NEED MORAL , SOCIAL AND MEDICAL HELP.

THE EXWEL TRUST IS SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION FOR THIS SOCIAL MENACE WITH HEAVY HEART.