JAIPUR: Braving the chilling winter of Shahpura in Rajasthan about 1,500 patients queued up to the free mega health camp organised by Smile Foundation and Sadbhavana Trust Bhilwara, along with Health Department of Rajasthan Government. The annual camp is offering 19 mobile surgical units for areas in cluding dental, ENT, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, and gynaecology, besides a series of tents equipped to shelter patients and their family members. A special operation theatre has also been set up on the site. The mega camp of Shahpura began in the year 2000. There was a break of two years during the Covid-19 pandemic, however. Incidentally the Mobile Surgical Unit (Jaipur) of the Rajasthan government had also supported Indian Army during 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. The mobile units were deployed in the then Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) for 12 days. “It is heartening to see that Sadbhavana Trust and Smile Foundation are closely working with the health department of Rajasthan Government in organising this health camp where people are getting medical services and surgeries free of cost. I appreciate this exemplary collaborative work and the district administration will continue to extend all possible help in future too,” said Shri Tikam Chand Bohra (IAS), Collector and District Magistrate, Shahpura. During the 3-day health camp a total of 1327 patients turned up for various ailments related to eye, throat, gynaecology, and dental issues among others. As many as 485 patients have been admitted and are under the process of surgeries. The mega health camp ensures full treatment to the patients and extends their treatment free of cost beyond three days, if need be. “Our collaboration with Smile Foundation and Sadbhavana Trust has been very fruitful in the form of this free annual mega camp. We are hopeful that in future too our association will reach new heights in serving the people,” said Dr. Anita Verma, Director, Mobile Surgical Unit (Jaipur), Govt. of Rajasthan. “This unique annual free mega camp has been serving rural population of our area since year 2000, all thanks to the support of Smile Foundation and the Mobile Surgical Unit, Jaipur. Rogi yahan ro kar aate hai aur has kar jate hain – this has been our biggest accomplishment,” said Mrs. Kamala Chaudhary, President, Sadbhavana Seva Trust, Bhilwara. Smile Foundation is currently operating 90 healthcare projects that include mobile medical units, mobile telemedicine units, mobile dental units, static clinics and mobile physio units under Smile on Wheels, its national healthcare initiative. It covers 920 villages and urban slums across 63 districts, including 17 aspirational ones, in 15 Indian states. During the year, over one million beneficiaries received primary and preventive healthcare services at their doorsteps. Smile Foundation has been working in 27 states of India in the areas of education, skilling, healthcare and women empowerment.
