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Free Health Checkup Camp
In our country sex workers are always neglected by our societies. Basically, they are either trafficked or due to financial reasons are forced to come into this profession. It is very pathetic to know, that, they are one of the most underserved section of our society. They are physically and mentally tortured, beaten up, not given proper food to eat and even some times they do not get proper remunerations. Their health is neglected to a great extent. They don’t get proper treatment when visited hospitals, they are forced to give services even when they are at their low. Consequently, their physical wellbeing lacks to a great extent.
Keeping this in mind, Bargach Foundation and the councilor of Kolkata Corporation, Ward no. 48, planned for organizing a free of cost Health Checkup Camp with proper guidance through a proper medical team.
In this aspects Bargach Foundation have organized a Free Health Checkup Camp for the sex workers of Bowbazar area. The Health Checkup Camp was organized in the memory of the death anniversary of our Father of Nation – Mahatma Gandhi who is popularly known as “Gandhiji”. This camp was organized in association with Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s Ward Number 48 and Shiv Chowk Club in Durga Math, 38/1 Premchand Boral Street, Kolkata-700012. The camp was organized on 30th January,2024 started from 10:30 a.m. onwards and continued till 2:30 p.m. From the beginning there was a long queue of sex workers who came from all over the locality to check up their health absolutely free of cost. A group of local volunteers from Shiv Chowk Club controlled the crowd with assistance of Bargach Foundation. There were six various departments and from each department there was a specialized Doctor and they offered their voluntary services whole heartedly. The doctors include:
a) Heart Specialist
b) Dentist
c) General Physician
d) Child Specialist
e) Gynecologist
f) Pathologist
The camp was Inaugurated with the presence of various Distinguished Guests:
a) Shri Biswarup Dey, Councillor, Ward Number 48, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
b) Shri.Rahul Johri, Managing Trustee, Bargach Foundation
c) Shri.Sumit Hans, CEO and CO-Founder of Bargach Finance
d) Shri Prasanta Kumar Sahu,GCOO of Vector Finance
e) Smt.Gargee Sen, GM, Operation, Vector Finance
f) Shri.Chitradip Pandey, Officer in Charge, Muchipara Police Station
The camp was successfully organized with local stakeholders. There were almost 200 number of people who have participated in the health checkup camp. The doctors have advised all the participants to take care of their most precious wealth – “The Health”. At the end of the camp all the participants have praised and thanked the Local Councilor for organizing such an initiative program.
Free Eye Checkup Camp
A group of sex workers residing in Bow bazar area of Kolkata, the majority of whom have blurred vison and eye pain - common side effects of Sexually Transmitted disease, underwent eye checkup at ‘free eye checkup camp’ organized on 9th August 2024, by Bargach Foundation, with technical assistance from M-Swastha. The camp was organized in collaboration with Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s Ward Number 48 and 48 Jana Kalyan Seba Sangha club in 81, Premchand Boral Street, Kolkata-700012. This initiative aimed to provide comprehensive eye examinations and promote eye health among the most underserved community of our society. “Some of them have cataracts and many need rectifications of the refractive error and require spectacles”. Hence the camp organized has provided them an opportunity to get their vision tested and take preventive measures and avoid blindness. Considering the importance of 9th August, in Indian independence, also known as August revolution in Indian history and its impact on India’s path to freedom, Ward No 48 counsellor, Sri Biswarup Dey had advised to organize the free eye checkup camp for the most underserved section of our society to help them get freedom from blurred vision and other eye problems, thereby preventing blindness.
The camp provided a range of essential eye care services to the sex workers and their community, including comprehensive eye examinations and medicines support. Highly skilled ophthalmologists and medical professionals from M-Swastha volunteered their expertise, offering their services to those in need. The examinations encompassed visual acuity tests, refraction tests, assessment of eye pressure, and examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. These thorough examinations enabled early detection of eye conditions and ensured timely intervention, preventing potential vision loss. Medical professionals engaged with the attendees, educating them about common eye conditions, preventive measures, and the significance of regular eye check-ups. One of the most impactful aspects of the free eye check-up camp was the provision of free eyeglasses and medications to those in need. Post checkup, the prescriptions for eyeglasses were collected to ensure that all the patients with refractive errors, receive free eye glasses. 122 patients will be given free eyeglasses. The joy and gratitude expressed by the recipients were heartwarming, as many had struggled with blurry vision and were unable to afford proper eyewear. By providing free eye examinations, eyeglasses, and medications, the camp addressed a critical need and positively impacted the lives of many sex workers who were previously unable to access proper eye care.
The camp was Inaugurated with the presence of various Distinguished Guests:
a) Sri Kalyan Mukherjee, Ex IG IPS
b) Sri Rahim Nabi, National footballer
c) Sri Biswarup Dey, Councillor, Ward Number 48, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
A total of 150 patients attended the camp of which 122 people are given free spectacles. This initiative not only improved vision health but also spread awareness about the significance of regular eye check-ups and eye care practices. The event serves as a shining example of how collaborative efforts and community engagement can bring about meaningful change.
Photo Gallery:
PRESS COVERAGE
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Bargach Foundation, in partnership with M-Swasth and 48 Jana Kalyan Seba Sangha club, conducted an Eye checkup camp for the sex workers in Bowbazar (Ward 48). Post the camp, 123 patients were given spectacles at zero cost.
Sanitation Projects
It is observed that a few factors like lack of money, unavailability of robust toilet design and lack of cost effective construction support etc. pose as a hindrance to household sanitation. The programme is designed to create community awareness on the benefits of proper sanitation facilities. We will simultaneously promote construction, usage and management of facilities.
The goal of the programme is to sensitise beneficiaries at the community level to understand the importance of sanitation and use of the community facilities. Lack of toilet facilities in the villages have resulted in spread of disease and contamination.
The Foundation will educate individuals on the perils of open defecation. It will also partner with the village community to set up common toilets. The goal being to set 1000 toilets across 100 villages to serve the community by year 2023.
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