The village of Maruthankernikulam is situated 30km from the Vakarai Town in the Batticaloa District. The villagers travel by foot through heavily-forested areas to the closest access to medical care which is in Vakarai. In order to help these villagers, a medical camp was conducted in the area with a team of 5 doctors, a dental surgeon, and 5 nurses.
A total of 225 villagers, including 98 children were screened for cardiac murmurs, oral cancer, cataracts, diabetes, and anemia. The medical tests included general check-up, dental and eye examinations. Villagers that needed further treatment were referred to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital or Valaichenai Base Hospital for further consultation and care. Awareness sessions regarding personal hygiene, oral hygiene and related cancers, diabetes and hypertension, and breast cancer were conducted during the camp as well.
Furthermore, educational sessions on spiritual awareness and human values were conducted for the children in the village. Items for personal hygiene (nail cutters, soap cases, footwear), nutritional foods (milk power, samaposha) were provided to pregnant mothers and children. Asthmatic and COPD patients were given face masks.
