Punjab

Free health screening drive under way

30,000 people examined so far at five-day-long camp

Jamil Mirza October 27, 2023

Doctors at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre perform the first robotic surgery at the health facility. Photo: express

RAWALPINDI:

A five-day free health screening camp is under way in seven tehsils of the Rawalpindi district to provide free medicines and access to laboratory tests to people belonging to low-income groups.

During this health week, seven tehsil headquarters hospitals in Gujarkhan, Kahutta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian, Taxila, Murree and Wah Cannt, and nine rural health centres provided free-of-cost medicines and screening to the public.

Dedicated doctors, skilled laboratory technicians, and support staff have been deployed to ensure the success of this health week. Those grappling with health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hepatitis B and C, fever, dengue, and TB are benefiting from blood screening and various tests.

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This health week is specifically targeting individuals and families in rural areas who often lack access to medical care, leaving them to suffer in silence. By offering services like the diagnosis of hepatitis B, C, and other ailments through blood screening, this initiative is making a substantial impact on the local population.

According to official sources, the objective is to continue offering free medical services to rural residents near their homes, reducing the burden on larger city hospitals.

District Health Authority Chief Executive Dr Sohail Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming response to the health week, noting that more people than expected have benefited from the free diagnosis and treatment services.

Similarly, District Health Officer Dr Ahsan Ghani highlighted that for individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B and C, a vaccination facility is also available in addition to a three-month course of medicine. He further mentioned that the success of the health week will determine future initiatives, and if the need persists, organising similar health weeks in the future will be considered.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2023.