The primary function of the Indian Army is to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country. But the Army renders a variety of other services to the people. The people-friendly Indian Army also holds medical camps for natives, more particularly in remote areas where there is an acute shortage of medical facilities. This also enables the Army to interact with the people. Such camps generate a lot of goodwill for the Armed Forces personnel. A brief account of some of the camps held in the recent past is as under.

For Zubeda Khatoon who had five children with barely one-year interval between each and pregnant yet again, the ALFIDA Medical Camp at Nagri was a blessing. Here she was able to obtain the gynaecologist, consultation right in the vicinity of her modest dwelling and get free medicines. The helping hand of the lady doctor, Dr Raisa, was what the womenfolk of this area were looking forward to. The plight of the womenfolk of the area is that the nearest lady doctor is at the Handwara Sub District Hospital which is 9 km away.

The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under the stewardship of Lt Col Hitesh Law in their people-friendly approach organised this medical management camp to coincide with the AIDS awareness programme. This AIDS awareness programme was organised in the district from June 16 to July 1, 2001. This was revealed by the Block Medical Officer, Dr Surinder Singh, who also confirmed that there were no HIV positive cases in this district whereas 0.4 per cent of the population of J&K is believed to be infected with AIDS. An educating talk on the prevention of AIDS was given by Dr Manir Khoja and lady doctor, Dr Farida Khan. At the concluding function, the SDM Kupwara, Mr Abdul Jabar Chakat was also present. He gave a talk on adhering to the medical and ethical advices propounded by the medicos.

Capt Vinay Verma, the coordinator of this camp and medical officer of the Battalion informed that free medicines worth Rs 25,000 had been distributed to the patients. He also informed that in March this year, 2543 locals had benefitted from a similar camp. He cited hypertension, work infestation, asthma and TB as the primary ailments prevalent among 15,000 residents of the locality. Dr Mujahid, the local Government Medical Officer who attended the camp revealed that the average size of a family here was 8 to 9. He added that because of economic constraints and the distance from the main road, people seek medical advice only when the ailments are no longer bearable.

Dr Zuber, an orthopaedic specialist present at the camp had only a few patients as he rendered his professional help in the management of chronic diseases. He advised the patients to avail the specialist facilities of the surgeon, ENT specialist, radiologist and pathologists at Kupwara or Handwara.

Lt Col Hitesh Law expressed his deep concern for the health of the locals and assured them that the unit would organise more camps in the near future. The civil-military synergy at the camp reflected the national integration in the remote hamlet. The 2500 beneficiaries from this medical bonanza had a glitter in their eyes and a prayer for the organisers of this camp.

A composite medical camp was conducted under the aegis of HQ 4 Corps at Chardwar. Keeping in view the widespread outbreak of malaria, the camp was organised to provide medical aid to the locals, as also to educate the masses on anti-malaria precautions. The day started early with a few patients trickling in, but gradually the trickle became a virtual torrent. It was estimated that around 10,000 patients availed of the various specialist facilities available at the medical camp.

The Governor of Assam visited Chardwar accompanied by the Health Minister of Assam and was received by the GOC, Red Horns Division and Commander of Chindits Brigade. He was brought to the site of the medical camp and was received with fanfare. The Governor cut the ribbon and lit the traditional lamp declaring the camp open. He then went around the camp meeting the doctors and the staff and interacted with the public also. The Governor was given a very warm welcome on arrival by the local citizens. He addressed the gathering, the Army for coming forward to help the government in battling malaria and saving lives. The Governor urged the people to come forward and join hands with the Army in its efforts for nation building. He said that one must shun violence as insurgency has no future, not only in India but all over the world.

The organisers also utilised the occasion to felicitate Hav Biren Saikia of the Regiment of Guards who was a war casualty during 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. He had lost both his legs during the war. He was presented with a tricycle and a cheque for rupees one lakh by the Governor.

At the camp, all specialist treatment was made available to the locals. A gynaecologist, an ophthalmologist, a child specialist, a surgical specialist, a medical specialist, an ENT specialist and a dentist were present. In addition, a minor operation theatre, a mobile laboratory and an X-ray machine were provided for the public.

Besides the medical treatment, the public was educated on ways to combat malaria through pamphlets, posters and banners. They were also shown some educational films on precautions which could be taken to check the spread of malaria and other water-borne diseases. In addition, a medical exhibition was also held. All the patients were dispensed with free medicines provided by the Army and the civil administration.

The Army has been hosting medical camps at regulars intervals. for the welfare of the local people. The medical camp fulfilled the long outstanding desire of the local population of North Sonitpur to have specialist doctors to attend to them at their doorstep. At the camp, medicines were distributed free of cost. So far, the Army has hosted 25 medical camps and has treated approximately 50,000 patients. The Army also established a grievance cell headed by a senior Army officer at the venue of the medical camp to speedily attend to the genuine problems of the local citizens and to forward the same to the civil administration. As part of operation Samaritan, the camp was a noble gesture and won the Army many friends among the civilians.

The operation Vajra Asha was launched by the Infantry Brigade looking after Kanah and Tangdhar sector by organising a medical camp. The camp was conducted for 28 villages. The medical team from the Battalion visited the villages in its area of responsibility and provided medical assistance. As a sequel the Battalion conducted a medical check-up of school, children. In all-49 schools participated. A team from the Battalion promoted health awareness amongst the children and their parents. The Medical Officer, Capt S Das Sarma examined and treated about 2,110 children at the camp.

An inter-school debate competition was organised by the Battalion during the camp. Nine schools participated with 14 young minds speaking out their feelings on contemporary issues like "Teachers in society" and "militancy in Kashmir". The Battalion also organised an inter-village cricket tournament. The bright and sunny weather attracted 9 teams. The women voluntarily came forward to adopt family planning measures.

The Battalion also concentrated its efforts to improve the living conditions of the poor villagers living in the interiors of the far-flung villages. This took shape in improving the water supply scheme in conjunction with HED, training of educated and unemployed youth as nursing assistants, extending computer education facilities to local schools and improvement in the common network.

Brig JS Shekhawat, Commander 104 Infantry Brigade was invited as the chief guest for the cultural show presented by the locals.
The grand finale was a debate competiton and folk dances by the school-children.