MADIKERI: Free health check-up and treatment camps was organised recently for tribal people in Kodagu. Nearly 3,000 people turned up to avail the benefits of the camps, which were conducted in Thithimathi and Kutta in Virajpet taluk.

Regardless of the Dilip Singh Bhuria Commission, which has set 25 years for the development of tribal people in the country , it appears that the district administration has started paying attention to the problems of tribal people .

The initiative of the Kodagu district administration, the zilla panchayat and the Red Cross, Kodagu branch, in organising the two medical camps is a step forward in providing much-needed healthcare to these people .

In all, 987 tribal people availed the services of physicians during the camp, 436 availed cardiology facilities, 177 in the ENT section, 500 in orthopaedics, 590 under paediatrics, 422 in gynaecology, 429 in ophthalmology, 300 in dermatology, 235 underwent surgeries, 185 obtained X-rays and 59 scanning facilities, 41 in ECG, 577 availed facilities of laboratory check-up and 114 availed dental treatment. All those who participated in the camps were given free medicines and injections, apart from food.

They were also given health check-up cards.

Serious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, cancer and gangrene were also detected at the camps. Such patients were referred to hospitals for advanced treatment. In all, 1,542 tribal people availed the medical check-up and treatment camp at the Kutta, and 1,780 attended the Thithimathi camp.

As many as 12 specialist medical officers, two dental doctors, 14 medical officers, 15 nursing staff, 12 laboratory technicians, 10 junior and senior assistants, two x-ray technicians, two medicine distributors, 10 group "D" employees and health volunteers rendered their services at the camps.

Sources told The Hindu that the total expenditure in organising the two camps crossed Rs. 3 lakhs.

Considering that nearly 8,000 tribal people live in and around Kutta, and around the same figure in the Thithimathi area in Virajpet taluk, the turnout at the camps was poor.

The administrations had made arrangements to pick up people from their "hadis" and drop them back after their check-up and treatment.

However, the district administration is planning two more medical camps for tribal people in Somwarpet taluk.

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