"Rotary Shivalik Chandigarh Eye Care Camp: Bridging Health Gaps in Gurha Village"
In circumstances where daily earnings are modest and livelihoods are precarious, health and education often take a back seat, with no medication and no check-up awareness.
Remote villages in the peripheries of the cities often remain neglected due to unconnected roads, underdeveloped hospitals, and poor sanitation. It seems they have been frozen in the 80s in the world of spacecraft, AI, and machine learning.
Innovation holds no value if it cannot serve the human cause or fails to reach humanity.
Healthcare Deserts: The Struggles of a Punjab Village"Without Local Medical Services"
In a village on the outskirts of Chandigarh, located in Punjab, the absence of a hospital means no immediate remedies to crises. For maternity deliveries or accidents, residents must travel to the city, where they are then redirected to a state hospital, calling it a state subject, situated several more kilometers away.
The lack of community healthcare services highlights the considerable distance and complexities villagers face in accessing essential medical services, portraying a stark reality of humanity in distress at their doorsteps.
This healthcare gap has not only impacted the general well-being of the villagers but has also resulted in specific instances of diminished mental health, maternity care, and numerous unaddressed health concerns.
Rotary's Impact: "Eye Camp" Success in Addressing Vision Needs
Rotary has played a pivotal role in enhancing various aspects of life, including education, sanitation, and healthcare. Their initiative to organise an eye camp garnered significant attention, with masses displaying remarkable enthusiasm to have their eyes examined, including children. 
The turnout was notable, with many children receiving spectacles, and numerous cases of old-age cataracts being identified. The remaining 100 spectacles from the camp were generously donated to Guru Ka langar Hospital.
Pharmacists expanded their services beyond eye examinations, offering blood pressure and diabetes screenings. Those diagnosed with high blood pressure were provided with medication and counselling. 
They maintained a comprehensive list to ensure follow-up care for those requiring ongoing monitoring and support.
Empowering Minds: "Transformative Counseling Initiatives" by Rotary
Furthermore, counselling sessions were extended to cater to both students and the elderly.
Among the attendees was a student grappling with the challenges posed by poor eyesight, which had led to a cascade of depression, anxiety, and exam-related fears. Mistakenly perceived as a sign of weakness by her mother, the student received unconventional remedies like milk and butter.
However, under the compassionate guidance of Mrs. Meenakshi, a Rotarian and clinical psychologist, the student found solace and optimism.
Through innovative techniques and tailored support, Mrs. Meenakshi illuminated a path toward healing, gradually alleviating the student’s fears and restoring a sense of peace and joy.
Rotary's Holistic Approach: Ensuring "Follow-Up and Innovating Healthcare Access"
Acknowledging the insufficiency of mere screening, there exists an urgent requirement for thorough, holistic treatment to adequately tackle their health issues.
An elderly woman, grappling with cataracts and residing alone, faced a predicament when she misplaced her glasses. Nonetheless, she received assistance and encouragement to promptly repair her glasses and undergo surgery expeditiously.
She expressed disappointment regarding the absence of subsequent follow-up or monitoring post regular health checkups. Nevertheless, the assurance of her impending surgery brought immense relief, eliciting a contented smile on her face.
Rotary's Commitment to Healthcare Access:Bridging "Telemedicine Gaps"
Rotary remains dedicated to accomplishing this initiative by gathering contact details and names for consistent follow-up. This proactive strategy guarantees that individuals diagnosed with cataracts receive essential assistance and direction for undergoing surgery.
Through ongoing communication and follow-up, Rotary endeavours to guarantee that individuals requiring medical intervention and care receive it promptly.
Despite the government introducing groundbreaking telemedicine concepts like e-Sanjeevani, its impact remains limited due to a lack of awareness across all regions.
To address this gap, there is a pressing need to introduce cutting-edge medical devices designed for home use, eliminating the necessity for technical expertise, such as those for measuring blood glucose, and blood pressure.
These strategic steps aim to democratize healthcare access, especially in remote areas, by reducing reliance on manpower, minimizing infrastructure requirements, and overcoming the obstacles of conveyance.
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