Free Health Camp and Health Education Program in Harsur Village

The Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, KBN University organized a Free Health Camp, Health Education Program on 13/06/2026 in Harsur Village, which has been adopted under the National Medical Commission (NMC) Family Adoption Programunder the guidance of Dr. Guruprasad K Y (Dean, FOMS).

The program was conducted with the aim of promoting preventive healthcare, early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, and community awareness regarding healthy lifestyle practices.

The Family Adoption Program introduced by the National Medical Commission is an important component of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), focusing on experiential learning and community-oriented healthcare delivery. Under this initiative, medical students and faculty engage directly with rural communities to understand health determinants and provide comprehensive healthcare services.

Objectives of the Program

1. To provide free general health check-up services to the rural population of Harsur Village.

2. To conduct screening for Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and other NCDs among adults and high-risk individuals.

3. To educate the community regarding prevention and control of diabetes mellitus, Hypertension and other lifestyle diseases.

4. To promote awareness regarding balanced diet, physical activity, personal hygiene, and healthy lifestyle practices.

5. To strengthen community participation under the NMC Family Adoption Program.

Planning and Organization

Prior permission and support were obtained from village authorities, local health workers and Youth groups. Publicity regarding the camp was carried out through village announcements, ASHA workers, and community mobilization activities.

Faculty members, postgraduate students, interns, laboratory technicians, and undergraduate medical students actively participated in the organization and execution of the program.

The camp included the following service areas:

·    Registration and demographic data collection

·    General clinical examination

·    Blood pressure measurement

·    Random blood sugar testing

·    Diabetes and Hypertension risk assessment

·    Health education and counseling

·    Referral services for further evaluation and management

Activities Conducted

1. Registration and Preliminary Assessment

All beneficiaries attending the camp were registered systematically. Basic demographic details such as age, gender, occupation, and relevant medical history were collected. Information regarding symptoms suggestive of diabetes, hypertension and other NCDs family history, dietary habits, and physical activity was also documented.

2. General Health Check-Up

A comprehensive health examination was conducted by faculty members, postgraduates and interns under supervision. The examination included:

·    Measurement of height and weight

·    Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment

·    Blood pressure recording

·    Pulse examination

·    General systemic examination

3. Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension Screening

·    Random blood sugar estimation and blood pressure measurement was performed for adult participants, especially those with:

·    Family history of diabetes and hypertension

·    Obesity

·    Sedentary lifestyle

·    Polyuria or polydipsia

·    Giddiness

·    Headache etc.

Individuals with elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels were counseled and referred for further evaluation and follow-up at the KBN Teaching and General Hospital.

The screening program emphasized the importance of early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and Hypertension, considering the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in rural populations.

Health Education Activities

Health education sessions were conducted in the local language using interactive communication methods. Topics covered included:

Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and other NCD Awareness

·    Causes and risk factors

·    Early symptoms and warning signs

·    Importance of regular screening

·    Dietary modifications

·    Medication adherence

·    Prevention of complications

Lifestyle Modification

·    Importance of regular physical activity

·    Avoidance of tobacco and alcohol

·    Stress management

·    Adequate sleep and hydration

Nutritional Education

·    Balanced diet

·    Reduction of refined sugar intake

·    Importance of fruits and vegetables

·    Portion control

Personal Hygiene and Preventive Health

·    Hand hygiene

·    Safe drinking water

·    Sanitation practices

·    Regular health check-ups

Community Participation

The villagers of Harsur actively participated in the program and cooperated enthusiastically with the healthcare team. Community leaders(Advocate Aejaz Zahoor Badeghar, Md. Aman Badeghar and Shaiekh Mohammed Hussain), ASHA workers, and local volunteers played an important role in mobilizing beneficiaries and facilitating smooth conduct of the camp.

The interaction between healthcare providers and community members helped in building trust and strengthening the objectives of the Family Adoption Program.

Outcomes of the Program

The program achieved the following outcomes:

·    Early identification of individuals at risk for diabetes mellitus and Hypertension

·    Increased awareness regarding lifestyle diseases

·    Improved community understanding about preventive healthcare

·    Strengthened linkage between medical institution and rural community

·    Enhanced practical learning experience for medical students

The camp also highlighted the importance of regular screening and health education in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in rural populations.

Educational Significance

The program provided an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students to gain firsthand exposure to rural healthcare delivery and community-based learning. The Family Adoption Program enables students to understand social determinants of health, communication skills, preventive medicine, and continuity of care.

Such field-based activities contribute significantly to competency-based medical education by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical community health experience.

Conclusion

The Free Health Camp, Diabetes Mellitus Screening, and Health Education Program conducted at Harsur Village was successful in providing preventive and promotive healthcare services to the rural population. The collaborative efforts of the Departments of Community Medicine and village field health workers and community leaders facilitated effective screening, early identification of health problems, and dissemination of essential health education and distribution of free medicines.

The program strengthened community engagement under the NMC Family Adoption Program and emphasized the importance of integrated community-oriented healthcare approaches in improving rural health outcomes.

The program was organized under the supervision of Dr. Shahnaz Shaheen, Professor and Head, and Dr. M A Fahim, Professor, Department of Community Medicine