It was a sunny morning in Sandas, a small village nestled in the heart of Kalmanuri taluka. The quiet streets buzzed with an unusual excitement as children, parents, and teachers gathered in the village square for a special event. On this day, 14th September 2024, Sandas was set to host its very first free child health camp, an initiative spearheaded by the Ugam Gramin Vikas Sanstha, Desai Foundation Trust, the District Health Department of Hingoli, and Urmila Hospital.
For weeks, word of the health camp had spread throughout the village. Families were eager, for many had never had access to proper medical care. Today was a day of hope, especially for the children. The village’s primary school served as the venue, and the children, dressed in their neat uniforms, lined up eagerly to have their health checked.
The event was kicked off by the headmaster of the local school, Mr. Bhagwan Bedre, who welcomed the attendees with warmth and pride. Mr. Dishant Paikarao, representing Ugam Gramin Vikas Sanstha, took the stage to explain the significance of the day. With a calm and reassuring voice, he shared how this camp was just the beginning. “This is the first step,” he said, “in our journey to bring free healthcare to 711 villages in Hingoli district.”
As the camp progressed, medical professionals, including Dr. Pramod Shewalkar, the Community Health Officer from Salegaon, and a team of dedicated health workers, examined the children with care. Some children were a little nervous, but most were excited – this was a new experience for them. The Star Clinical Lab team, under the supervision of Dr. Waghmode from Urmila Hospital, tested the blood groups of 176 children. For many parents, it was a relief to finally have access to this essential information.
Among the dignitaries present was Mr. Arvind Nirgude, the President of the School Management Committee, who watched with pride as his village took this important step toward better health. The camp was a well-coordinated effort, supported by health workers Varsha Fole and Sheikh Jameel, and community members who had come together to ensure everything ran smoothly.
ehind the scenes, the real work was done by a dedicated team from Ugam Gramin Vikas Sanstha, led by Dishant Paikarao, Sanghadip Harne, Vishwas Rawate, Shrikant Bhoyar, and Santosh Narwade. They had worked tirelessly to bring this camp to life, ensuring that every child was attended to, and that no one left without receiving the care they needed.
As the sun began to set and the camp came to a close, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. Smiling faces of relieved parents, happy children, and dedicated volunteers filled the village. It wasn’t just about the medical care that had been provided that day – it was about the hope that had been restored.
The success of the Sandas health camp was a reminder of what could be achieved when communities come together. The next stop for this healthcare mission would be the village of Jamgavan, on the 18th of September, where another group of children would receive the same care and attention. For the families of Sandas, this day marked the beginning of a healthier future.
