THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Tonto (West Singhbhum), Dec 21: Braving Maoist threat, the Jharkhand IMA Women Doctors’ wing headed by Dr Bharti Kashyap reached today Tonto in West Singhbhum and successfully organised a mega Women Health Camp and Drishti Suraksha Abhiyan at the Community Health Centre, Tonto.
The event was conducted under the joint aegis of the Women Doctors Wing, IMA Jharkhand, and the Chaibasa Forest Division, Forest Department. Significant contributions to the camp’s success were made by the Health Department and the District Administration, West Singhbhum
Notably, Maoists, in recent days, have created terror in the region forcing the administration to declare several roads in West Singhbhum unsafe.
The camp was inaugurated by Chaibasa Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary, with Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Manjhi, DFO Podahat Forest Division, and other dignitaries such as the DDC and SDM Chakradharpur in attendance.
The initiative focused on the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in the remote, Naxal-affected areas of Kolhan. Similar camps were previously held in Gua (July 1) and Goilkera (July 15). Upcoming camps are scheduled in Pakur (January 4) and Sahibganj (January 5).
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary said that in one year, along with the IMA, Women Doctors’ wing, we have organised three camps in the three subdivisions of West Singhbhum and the local people here have benefited from it.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Sushanto Majhi said that there are a lot of patients with cervical inflammation in the village and small children also have cataracts and many other types of blindness, so it is very important to make them aware.
DDC Sandeep Meena said that the PVTG group of this area and the local people have benefited a lot from three camps in one year. By adding Drishti Suraksha Abhiyan to it, he added that the small children suffering from eye diseases have benefited a lot.
Campaign Highlights
Dr. Bharti Kashyap, President of the Women Doctors Wing, IMA Jharkhand, shared her commitment to this initiative, which has been running since 1991 (Drishti Suraksha Abhiyan) and 2014 (Mega Mahila Swasthya Suraksha Abhiyan).
Speaking at the event, she emphasised her efforts to serve neglected populations in remote areas of Kolhan, Santhal Pargana, and Palamu.
“We prioritize reaching local women, children, and tribal groups, particularly those at risk of losing their eyesight or missing school due to cataracts and corneal diseases,” Dr. Kashyap said. “Today, we held the camp in Tonto following successful camps in Gua and Goilkera.”
Dr. Bharti mentioned that she encountered many PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) women suffering from foul-smelling white vaginal discharge. These women were applying a ‘jadi booty’ paste to their vaginas, believing it would cure them.
“Nine of these women were diagnosed with cervical erosion, and two were found to have cervical pre-cancer. We used a digital video colposcope to perform Cryo treatment and successfully treated them,” she explained.
She further added, “We also educated them about the risks of using ‘jadi booty’ paste for such issues. Additionally, we trained local government sector gynaecologists so they could continue providing treatment to these women in their communities after the camp.”
The primary goals of the campaign include:
- Treating all women with genital swelling using medicines, as untreated swelling often leads to cervical cancer.
- Providing on-site treatment for cervical erosion and pre-cancer using digital video colposcopes, ensuring women return home healthy and disease-free.
Under the Drishti Suraksha Abhiyan, patients with cataracts, glaucoma, corneal, and retinal diseases will receive free treatment at Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital, Ranchi, recognized with the highest NABH quality certification.
Capacity Building and Health Awareness
The campaign is also focused on training human resources and gynaecologists to use digital video colposcopes and manage treatments effectively. This ensures that even after the camp ends, government hospitals can continue to provide quality healthcare services to local communities.
“Our goal is to spread health awareness among tribal and backward communities,” Dr. Kashyap added. “We want people to recognize their illnesses early and seek timely, appropriate treatment.”
