Meghalaya’s health camp: Linking people to care

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 11, 2023

Several government agencies and other partners organised a free mega health camp in Thadlaskein block of West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, where on the same day test and treatment for a range of health conditions became a reality for hundreds of people, along with health awareness, counselling, and ensuring continuum of care.

This free mega health camp was organised at the North East Adventist University, Khliehtyrshi village, Thadlaskein block of West Jaintia Hills District on October 10, 2023. 

It is the first of its kind health camp in Meghalaya where quick and state-of-the-art diagnosis became a reality in a field setting for various diseases using RT-PCR technology – as well as – linkage was facilitated for treatment under the relevant government-run programmes on the same day.

“Thadlaskein block where this camp is being held has poor access to health services for people living in hard to reach areas. This block also has the lowest vaccine or immunisation coverage, and maximum number of children aged 2-5 years that have not been immunised with measles Rubella vaccine 1 or 2. It is important to note that all the people who have been mobilised by the Block Development Office and self-help groups are able to get a wide range of healthcare services at one place,” said Dr Helen J Uriah, Maternal and Child Health Officer, West Jaintia Hills District. 

To ensure continuum of care, all those diagnosed for a range of conditions listed above were linked to respective government programmes under the National Health Mission (NHM), such as those for TB, HIV, maternal and child health, among others. Medicines were provided on the site as well for some of the diseases listed above, along with counselling for nutrition, adolescent health, STDs, TB, HIV, malaria, cancers (breast and cervical), and other related issues.

“The aim of this health camp was to promote early screening, detection and linkage to treatment and care for a range of diseases; and population awareness of various diseases thereby improving health of the community. It was also to develop long term health seeking behaviour of the population. Investing in free health camps helps accomplish an optimal level of healthcare with individuals, communities and all the institutions working together in coordination” said Dr Darivianca E Laloo, General Manager of Molbio Diagnostics.