Extension Activity Volunteers for the Health Camp

As a part of the extension activity four students with one teacher from the Department of Biochemistry took part as the volunteers for a Health camp organized by the organization for the Development of people in collaboration with Clearmedi Radiant hospital Mysore, Sanghamithra Rural financial services, Bhusiri Raitha Utpadakara Samiti and SPARSHA instilling hope, cancer awareness and detection program. The Health camp was organized on 19^th July 2022 in Government higher primary school premises Hulivana Mandya.

Mr. Ramesh, The member of the organizing committee from ODP hosted the program. Ms. Yamuna, the Coordinator of the cancer awareness program (SPARSHA), ODP welcomed the guest of honors and the villagers who had come to gain benefits of the Health Camp. She explained about the importance of holding this Health Camp and various programs undertaken by the ODP which directly benefits the needy, mainly from the rural areas spread across the four major districts of the south interior Karnataka; Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar.

Mr. Ramesh introduced the chief guests Dr. Rekha and other dignitaries on the dais. The list of the Dignitaries on the Dias are as follows

• Soumyalatha, Grama Panchayat chairman, Huliwana
• Naveen Grama Panchayat member
• Shantaraju, Head master, higher primary school, huliwana mandya
• Renuka, School Teacher
• Parvatamma from Primary Health Centre, Huliwana,Mandya
• Ramesh, Coordinator for the Mysore region cancer awareness programs ODP
• Yamuna coordinator for the cancer awareness programs, ODP
• Monica B, Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry, St Philomena’s College (Autonomous) Mysuru
• Nicholas Juje Fernandes Assistant Professor Department of Bio-Chemistry, St Philomena’s College (Autonomous) Mysuru

The chief guest for the program addressed the gathering on the current issues concerned issues of the present day scenarios regarding the cancer. She enlightened the villagers about the myths and misbeliefs related to the cancer. She stressed on the point that getting checked at the early stages can prevent adverse scenarios wherein saving life will be very difficult. And added a glimpse of importance of this health camp being organized.

Mr. Shantaraju, Head master, higher primary school, Huliwana, mandya addressed the villagers about the food habits being developed by the children. He raised the concerned about the school children getting attracted to fast food, packed and processed foods. He insisted and advised to parents and guardians to control such food habits of the children as it may lead to adverse effect on health in long term.

After the formal welcome and inaugural speeches, a plantation program was carried out by planting a tree in the school premises by the chief guest all the dignitaries, student’s representative’s form school, student volunteers of St. Philomena’s college of department of biochemistry and representatives from village participated in the activity. The people gathered for the check up cheered us. This helped to create a positive impact on students and the people of the village gathered for the health camp thinking and attitude towards the environment. The aim was to influence the children and the people about the conservation of the environment through tree plantation and insist the people to stay connected to their roots and know their responsibility towards protecting ‘Mother Nature’

Later the college staffs in collaboration of ODP and the grama panchayat Huliwana distributed note books pens to the students of the school. Mr. Navaneet D M presented the vote of thanks. This concluded the formal inauguration and welcoming session

The students were divided into groups to work in a coordinated manner with the nurses and doctors of Clearmedi Radiant Hospital and the ODP personnel’s. The names of the students who part as the volunteers from the Department of Biochemistry, for the session were Ms. Nida S, Ms. Bhoomika, Ms. Umra, Ms. Lavanya under the guidance of the faculty member Mr. Nicholas Juje Fernandes.

Ms. Umra Tabassum managed the responsibility of registering the names and issuing of the token number to the villagers participating in the health camp. Ms. Nida took up the responsibility to assist the counter of initial counseling of the beneficiaries along with the nurse of Clearmedi Radiant Hospital and further assisted in testing the blood glucose level of the participants.

As there were a large group of people waiting for their turn, two students, Ms. Bhoomika, MS Lavanya under the guidance of Ms. Yamuna coordinator for the cancer awareness programs, ODP, Mysuru engaged some information sessions by delivering lectures on topics related to the cancer.

Ms. Bhoomika spoke about the food and other related aspects for prevention of cancer. She made a special note about the ill effects of tobacco and alcoholic drinks which are among the top reasons for the cancer among the rural population in south interior of Karnataka. Furthermore she highlighted the fact that the younger generation are attracted towards the junk foods, as a parent and guardian they should hold up the responsibility of educating the children to avoid the junk food and encourage to include the regional and seasonal cuisines in their diet. There was a good response from the audience and Ms. Bhoomika answered to the queries raised by the audience.

Additional to it Ms. Lavanya spoke about the importance of food rich in antioxidants which can help in the prevention of cancer. She enlightened the people with the sources of antioxidant rich foods available in and around us which are easily available. The audience thanked the students for such an informative session.

Ms. Bhoomika joined the nurse team to assist measurement of the Blood Pressure level.

Ms. Lavanya assisted the nurse team to measure the oxygen level using digital oximeter

Outcomes:

The entire team of ODP, Clearmedi radiant Hospital, grama panchayat, Huliwana, Mandya and Department of Biochemistry St Philomena’s college conducted the health camp in a very systematic and effective manner. The villagers reaped the full benefit of the health camp. They were enriched with the awareness related to the cancer.

Our students had a rich experience of having served the people as volunteers in the free Health camp. This activity has enhanced the sensitivity towards the society. The students were inspired by the dedication shown by the ODP members, doctor, nurses and other members involved in this camp. The question and answer session has helped the students to get connected with the people at a deeper level. It has helped the students to understand the problems people were facing.