'31'

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Thakur said that the Government had already approved setting up of a 100-bed hospital in Najafgarh. For serving the 40 lakh population of the area, the Government would consider increasing the bed strength to 300, he added. Responding to the demand of Shri Sahib Singh Verma, MP for a medical college in the locality, Dr. Thakur said that the Government would consider sanctioning a medical college if land and other conditions were available. Earlier, Shri Sahib Singh Verma said that the health care facilities in the area were not sufficient to serve such a large populatio.

    Parivar Kalyan Swasthya Mela (Health Mela) is part of the effort by the Government to provide health and family welfare services to the people at their doorsteps. Not only do they offer an opportunity to the people to enhance their knowledge on family welfare and health issues, but also provide an opportunity for health check ups and for treatment. The Mela is an effort to offer to the people a range of health services and expert consultation. Through the issue of Health Cards, a follow up is ensured.

    The Mela aims to demonstrate the need for quality services, with convergence and integrated delivery for all segments of population. People become aware of a number of options before them in terms of the different systems of medicine (Allopathy, Homoeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani). People begin to comprehend the linkages between preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care as well as primary, secondary-tertiary health sectors. The pre-mela demographic and epidemiological surveys provide valuable data about the city and its rural hinterland.

    Medical facilities made available at the mela include:

• ENT, Dental and Cardiac check-ups,
• Indian Systems of Medicine-Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani,
• Counselling for AIDS, RTI/STI and Nutrition,
• Leprosy, Diabetics and TB Control,
• Skin Care,
• Male and Female Sterilization,
• Maternal and Child Health,
• ANC check up and immunization,
• Screening for Malaria and Cancer,
• Counselling for bad effects of Tobacco,
• Personal/environmental hygiene, and
• Blindness control.

    Specialists from AIIMS, Central Government hospitals and other hospitals of Delhi are providing services at the Mela. The Media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting are organising cultural programmes on health and family welfare themes at the Mela site.

    There are about 70 stalls at the Mela. Till noon, 1830 persons have registered at the various desks.