Free treatment: Darjeeling flags off 'Clinic on Wheels'

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 2 Sep 2018 | Darjeeling: The "World Cup Town" finally paved way to "Clinic on Wheels." The ambulance was flagged off on Sunday in Darjeeling.

Run by Darjeeling North Point School Alumni Association (DNPSAA) and supported by Darjeeling Planters' Association, "Clinic on Wheels" is a unique outreach programme named after Late Father Van, former Rector of St. Joseph's. 

An ambulance fitted with medical test facilities including ECG and 42 different tests will visit far flung remote areas including tea gardens offering medical services free of cost.DNPSAA had organised the event "Darjeeling the World Cup Town 2018" on June 2 to raise funds for the outreach programme — Fr. Van Memorial Clinic on wheels.

Thousands had participated in the football parade followed by a variety entertainment programme at Chowrasta on June 2. The proceeds from the World Cup Town programme in the form of registrations helped fund the ambulance.

"We also organised the first medical camp at Happy Valley Tea estate in Darjeeling," stated Deven Gurung, President, DNPSAA. 

90 patients were checked and tests including ECG conducted. "Many of the patients were unaware of their medical complications. There were patients with coronary artery disease, sinus tachycardia and anemia with hemoglobin less than 6 gm," stated Dr. Plaban Das. 

Camps will be conducted twice a month initially. "In the Hills, hypertension and anemia are common health problems. It is a common practice specially in remote areas to drink salt tea which aggravates hypertension," stated Dr. Devendra Pradhan,