Statewide Medical Camps for Rural Villagers and Slum-Dwellers in Andhra Pradesh

Bridge of Hope in Hyderabad Diocese organized statewide blindness control programs and medical camps on 8th March 2011. Thirty-nine Bridge of Hope centers participated.

The main goal of the program was to create awareness about the cause of blindness in children and to build up children’s health by distributing vitamins and Albendazole tablets.

With the help of Believers Church leaders, Bridge of Hope Hyderabad staff organized medical camps throughout Andhra Pradesh. The program focused on people from rural villages and slums. Altogether, 3,050 Bridge of Hope students, 1,600 other schoolchildren and 2,450 people from the communities benefited from the medical camps. Fifteen child specialists, 22 general doctors, 80 nurses, 85 local political leaders, five BOH state administrative staff members and 142 local BOH staff members joined together to make the program a success.

The medical personnel offered free checkups and Bridge of Hope took initiative to print posters and pamphlets in the local language to educate people on healthcare. These resources were easy for all to understand, even the elderly and children.

The blindness awareness programs and medical camps worked as a campaign raise health and hygiene awareness and prevent blindness among thousands in Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad Diocese considers it a privilege to be a part of attaining Believers Church’s vision for a better society.