The Indian Express             29.07.2013 

BMC to hold 100 health camps for monsoon ailments

With a rise in the number of malaria and gastroenteritis cases this year — 747 and 2,007 detected respectively — BMC started its yearly camps from June 16. So far, 46 camps have been organised, including eight on Sunday.

"We decided to introduce the camps in 2010 as there were many cases of malaria. Since then, these camps have helped keep a tab on water-borne diseases," said Dr Mangala Gomare, deputy executive health officer.

The camps, held in societies and slums, comprise stalls where one can get tested for H1N1, dengue, malaria, tuberculosis, fever, diabetes and other ailments.

Ratna Yadav, a slum-dweller from Andheri (east), says her family lines up for the free check-ups. "My brother-in-law had fever and was provided free medicines. Usually, 15-20 people from my society visit the camp," she said.

Additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said medical staff from public health cells, peripheral hospitals, medical colleges and tertiary hospitals help conducting the camps. On Sunday, two camps were conducted in G south ward and two in L ward, both labelled 'critical wards' till recently.