Remote Elaneer (DK) villagers wide eyed as medics check their wellness

Mangalore Today News Network

Elaneer (DK), Mar 11, 2015:  Kudos is due  to the efforts of Dakshina Kannada district unit of Indian Red Cross Society, who organised the camp in association with Government Wenlock Hospital (Physicians & Ophthalmologists), Ayush Department (Ayurvedic & Unani) and A J Hospital (dental unit), on March 8 Sunday.  May be for the first time, villagers of Elaneer saw a fleet of medics visiting the remote village of Dakshina Kannada district to check their health and well being.

About 110 km away from Mangaluru, Elaneer village has not seen power supply even in this age, though Dakshina Kannada district boasts of ultra modern facilities including half a dozen medical colleges and equal number of universities, where students from across the world throng to study medicine, engineering, architecture, ayurveda, homeopathy and nursing among other mod courses.

For Elneer the only school is in the adjoining village (Guthyadka) has 13 students studying from Standard I to VII in a single room. Established in 1965, there are no students for VII standard this year.  It has two students each in I, II, III, IV and V standard, there are three students in VI standard (totally 6 girls and  7 boys). Two teachers - Sandeep and Raveendra - teach the students all the subjects. The nearest primary health centre is 13 km away and for good health care services, residents have to come to Mangaluru by travelling near 4 hours in good conditions. Most villagers are daily wage / agriculture labourers.

At the Med camp  :  Most  preferred Ayurveda and Unani medicine, they consulted general physicians too. On the other hand, a few, especially the aged, were happy to see ophthalmologists in their village and get help for their sight.

"We are compelled  to travel far to check our eyes and God bless you for coming to our village," said an octogenarian lady  visibly glad.  A group of 20 doctors from A J Institute of Dental Sciences had tough time in convincing the villagers, as many were ’scared’ after they saw dental equipment. Later, many ’opened’ their mouth for the dentists and few got their tooth extracted too while a few others went for scaling and filling. A generator from distant Kalasa, powered the dental equipent.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Wenlock Hospital General Medicine Department Head Dr Julian Saldanha said most villagers’ health was surprisingly good;  a few have skin allergy  due to lack of hygiene understandably.

Ophthalmology Department Head Dr Bhavanishankar said except for one person, who needs cataract surgery, all others had minor problem, for which medicine was given free of cost. One of the major complaints of villagers was joint pain, for which both doctors from Ayush Department (Dr Devdas from Ayurveda and Dr Mohammed Asphaque from Unani) provided medicines after check up. A total of 85 villagers benefited from the camp.

Free Packs :   IRCS DK Chairman B Prabhakar Shriyan distributed 32 kits to poor and needy families, mostly scheduled tribes, which comprised dhothi, saree, blanket and household utensils. Similarly, IRCS also donated books and dictionary to the only Government Higher Primary School in Guthyadka.  It was a great reward to behold the smiles on the faces.