VIRAMPUR MEDICAL CAMP
On the last Saturday of every month a team of doctors covering the basic medical areas come from hospitals in Vishvanagar 100 kilometers, about 60 miles, away and conduct a free medical examination and prescribe free medicines for anyone who comes.
People with more serious problems that need attention are then taken from the Ashram to Vishvanagar for free treatment. The team of about twenty doctors and pharmacists arrive at 9:30, have a good breakfast, this time of samosas and chutney and tea and then conduct the medical camp in a little used two story building in Virampur. At 2 p.m. after another good meal the doctors return to Vishvanagar.
People are registered at tables outside the building and then given a referral slip and go to the second floor where they find the doctor who will diagnose their problem and prescribe medicine.
After diagnosis they go to a table outside where a pharmacist gives their free prescribed medicine. Eye problems have a long line waiting to see an eye doctor. On this Saturday, a national holiday when fewer jeep taxes were available, meant that fewer people were able to get here. This medical camp is a great place to photograph tribal people in their colorful tribal costumes including shepherds, Rabaris, the men in white with colorful turbans.
Notice that although the pandemic is thought to be over, the doctors must know something the rest of us don’t know because they are all wearing masks.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 