UDHAMPUR: Bridging the critical healthcare gap in rural regions, the 27th Mega Health Mela was successfully organized on Saturday in Thial, providing free, advanced medical care to over 1,000 local residents.
The massive health outreach initiative was organized by the Durga Dass Sharma Memorial Society (Regd.), an organization dedicated exclusively to community welfare in Thial. The camp was executed in strategic collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital and received active support from the volunteers of Narsingh Seva Kendra, Khoon.
The grounds of the Government Higher Secondary School and the adjacent Sh. Jagan Nath Swamy Temple were transformed into a high-tech healthcare hub for the day. Setting a serene and holistic tone for the event, the camp commenced with children from a local Gurukul performing yoga asanas and chanting Vedic mantras before the medical screenings began.
The health mela was formally inaugurated by Udhampur MLA, Ranbir Singh Pathania. Addressing the large gathering, Pathania lauded the proactive outreach efforts of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in extending specialized medical services to the rural belts.
Highlighting the hospital’s commitment to his constituency, he noted that this was already the second mega health camp successfully organized by the institution in the area during his current tenure. Pathania also praised the Sh. Durga Dass Sharma Memorial Society for its relentless, decades-long dedication to organizing impactful health initiatives exclusively for the people of Thial.
Reiterating the overarching healthcare vision behind the initiative, Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Executive Director of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), commended the successful execution of the camp. “Our core objective, guided by the philanthropic and welfare-driven vision of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has always been to ensure that the highest standards of medical care reach the grassroots level,” Dr. Sharma stated.
The Shrine Board is deeply committed to making advanced, tertiary healthcare accessible to the people of this region. This mega camp in Thial is a strong testament to that ongoing commitment, as we partner with dedicated local societies to bridge the gap between superspecialty healthcare and rural accessibility.”
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Mathavan, Facility Director of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, emphasized the clinical significance of the camp. “Deploying a comprehensive team of our top specialists to Thial allows us to provide critical early diagnosis and expert interventions right at the community’s doorstep,” he said. “Our focus remains on delivering the exact same high-quality superspecialty care in these camps as we do within our hospital walls.”
A specialized team of doctors and healthcare professionals from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital spearheaded the clinical operations. The camp offered consultations across a wide array of medical disciplines under one roof, including Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Pulmonology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, and ENT.
Residents, who often have to travel long distances for tertiary care, received free specialist consultations, vital health check-ups, and free medicines prescribed on the spot. In addition to immediate diagnosis, medical experts counseled patients on disease prevention and lifestyle management. Crucially, patients diagnosed with conditions requiring advanced procedures or surgeries were assured completely free follow-up treatment at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital under the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme.
Reflecting the deep spirit of community service, a grand langar seva was also organized at the Sh. Jagan Nath Swamy Temple. Nutritious, free meals were served throughout the day to all patients, their attendants, medical staff, and volunteers.
The overwhelming participation of the local population underscored the pressing need for accessible healthcare services in rural areas. Representatives of the Durga Dass Sharma Memorial Society expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the medical team of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, the volunteers from Narsingh Seva Kendra, the Gurukul children, and the local residents for making the initiative a grand success.
