As the celebration for 75 years of India’s Independence started with the Central government launching ‘Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav’, 44 Assam Rifles under the aegis of 22 Sector Assam Rifles (AR)/ Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR)-East started a 75-week-long series of events to improve the health condition of the people of Tamenglong. Taking the Independence celebrations to the hills of Manipur, the unit kickstarted its efforts with a wellness camp named ‘Swasthya ka Amrit’ at Kahulong village of Tamenglong sub-division last week. The wellness camp is especially aimed at the medical care to the expecting mothers, new mothers and their children.
The event kickstarted amid much fanfare with a lamp lighting ceremony jointly by the Dr Chambo Gonmei, CMO, Tamenglong, and Commandant Shah, CMO, 44 Assam Rifles. A joint team of 8 civil-military doctors were present for the service of the people which included 3 medical officers from the battalion and 5 civilian doctors from JIIMS, Raj Medicity & other government hospitals. The team included physicians, gynaecologists, paediatrician, ENT specialists and nurses. Blood investigation facility and an immunisation room for children was also setup for the benefit of the local populace. The event was highly welcomed by the locals as a total of approximately 2000 villagers benefited from the camp covering around 15 nearby villages.
A Covid awareness stall with informative posters and banners was also put to spread awareness about precautions and ongoing vaccination drive in the area. Health examinations and medical tests at the early stages of the illness can help to cure it faster and save a life before it can cause any damage. One can live longer and healthier only when an individual gets the right kind of health check-up, screening, and medical treatments. Even the most basic checkups can identify underlying illnesses. This becomes even more crucial for the pregnant ladies, new mothers, infants as wells as small children.
Medical camps conducted are by the health professionals to carry out limited health intervention amongst the underprivileged community. Access to appropriate health checkup is vital for healthy mental and physical development. The CMO, Tamenglong and CMO, 44 Assam Rifles also took this opportunity to address the villagers on topics related to health, hygiene, diseases, treatments and healthy food habits.
The Commandant, 44 Assam Rifles addressed the participants through video conferencing. He thanked all the mothers of the society for their immense role and sacrifices for their family & stated that there is nothing more noble or tougher job than home-making. He urged all the ladies of the Tamenglong to come forward in all the fields to match shoulders with men and called upon men to nurture the dreams and aspirations of the ladies of the family. He stressed the role of a healthy mother in upbringing a healthy family.
This is not the first time that 44 Assam Rifles took large scale healthcare initiatives in the Tamenglong district. The unit had earlier organised a two days medical camp at Phoklong Khullen village, Tousem sub division and a mobile medical camp along IT road villages in Tamei sub-division. A similar wellness camp was conducted jointly with Red Cross volunteers at Chalwa village in T Waichung sub-division of KPI district.
The wellness initiative by the 44 Assam Rifles, will culminate with the celebration of 75th Independence Day of India. These 75 weeks celebration shall include more healthcare camps, medical camps, fitness lectures, yoga demonstrations, sports events, construction of sports fields, distribution of sports equipment, water conservation drive, plantation drives, career counselling and guidance for youth and various other activities reaching out to all citizens in remote areas of Tamenglong.
These initiatives are aimed at improving healthcare services in the region and at the same time to increase the awareness among the people about health, fitness as well as the policies and facilities of the government.