Gujarat CM opens first-of-its-kind free ‘multi-specialty medical camp’ in Banaskantha


Palanpur, 19 October 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today inaugurated a first-of-its-kind free ‘multi-specialty mega medical camp’ at Bhabhar to cure people in the remote border district of Banaskantha, bordering the Little Rann of Kutch.

Speaking on the occasion, she said the government is committed to provide intensive medical treatment to the needy through radio telemedicine at their doorsteps through mobile vans equipped with latest equipment for comprehensive clinical tests as well as treatment. She said the health department will hold such medical camps in rural areas with the motto of ‘sarve bhavantu sukhinah sarve santu niramaya’, true to the spirit of ‘service to the man is service to the god’.

For the treatment of serious diseases, Mrs. Patel asked the families with less than Rs.1.20-lakh annual income to take advantage of the ‘Amritam Ma’ and ‘Vatsalya’ schemes. She appealed to the people to get follow-up treatment even after cure of gynecological, obstetrics, kidney and other stomach complications.

About 20 medical specialists from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital are camping at Bhabhar to serve the people of the nearby areas. The camp has been jointly organized by the state governments’ health department and Banaskantha District Cooperative Bank,

District In-charge and Minister of State for Health and Transport Shankerbhai Chaudhry gave details of various health schemes. He said that over 18,000 persons have already registered themselves for treatment at the camp, as many more are coming. He said that serious diseases like breast cancer will be treated free.

The Chief Minister handed over cheques of Rs.1-lakh on behalf of Banas Bank for accidental death of farmers. She also exhorted people to build toilets in every home. She inaugurated the Bhabhar Market Yard and unveiled a statue of Sardar Patel. The Banaskantha District Road Transport Association presented a cheque of Rs.51,000 to Kanya Kelavani Nidhi. The BJP District Unit presented 1,000 kg pulses and dry fruits for anganwadis.

Others present on the occasion included MP Haribhai Chaudhry, MLAs Parbat Patel, Nimabane Acharya and Nagarji Thakor, Banas Dairy Chairman Parthibhai Bhatol, GSRTC Director K.C. Patel and officer-bearers, officials and public.