Camps :

Share and Care, like other NGOs, businesses, and institutions, provides medical services to the poor. A Medical ‘camp’ is a one or two day (or longer) event where poor people can receive free medical, dental, eye, or other medical-related service. Share and Care organises these in Katchur and Chennai every few months.

The goal is to elevate the health and hygiene conditions and practices of the urban and rural poor. Generally they are unable to see a doctor, let alone a specialist, but Medical Camps bring these services into the local neighbourhood. Specialists include a family doctor, an ophthalmologist, a dentist, and others.

Because the camp has been publicised, people arrive early in the morning, queuing up to see the doctor. Doctors see each person, examine them, discuss their ailments, and make referrals to a specialist if necessary. If the specialist is at the camp, the problem can be dealt with immediately. If not, Share and Care takes the patient to a specialist as soon as possible. Doctors write out the medications required, and these are given out on the spot free of charge. One of the main conditions among the aged in India is cataracts, and many IOLs (cataract surgeries) are performed. The surgery is done at a local government eye hospital, and patients receive post-operative care and eyeglasses as well.

Thousands of people have benefited from Share and Care’s Medical Camps. In addition to being generally healthier and better informed about how to stay well, the poor are given the invaluable gift of eyesight and relief from pain. Anxiety about how to deal with their medical problems is alleviated, as they have their physical and emotional needs cared for. Funding for Medical Camps comes out of the general pool of Share and Care’s funds.