NSS unit of JSS Medical College had organized an annual special camp from 14th to-20th of March 2022 at Naguvanahalli Gram Panchayat limits, Srirangapattana Taluk, Mandya district. Free health screening and treatment camp was conducted as part of the NSS annual special camp. The camp was organized under the supervision of NSS Programme Officer Dr. Bharath T., and Dr. MV Ravishankar, Assistant NSS Programme Officer from JSS Medical College, Mysuru. The medical camp was conducted in Naguvanahalli Gram Panchayat jurisdiction covering 7 villages i.e., Naguvanahalli, Bhramapura, Bommuru Agrahara, Chandagalu, Belawadi, Naguvanahalli Ambedkar Colony and Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. The camp was conducted in one village each day.

On 14th March 2022 camp activities began with an inauguration ceremony which was presided by Smt. Suma S, President Gram Panchayat, Naguvanahalli. The camp was inaugurated by lighting a lamp. The programme was attended by members and officials of Gram Panchayat. Mr. S.R. Sathish Chandra, Chief Administrative Officer of JSS Medical College, was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony. Mr. S.R.Sathish Chandra addressed the vast gathering by underscoring the importance of such free medical health camps and advised villagers to take the benefit of doorstep services. He also encouraged and appreciated the active and voluntary participation of medical students under NSS activity and insisted the budding doctors make up their minds in the future to serve the bottom billion unprivileged rural population in the society.

The medical health camp team had involved volunteers for different medical counters. Services were offered by a General Physician, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, and a Paediatrician from JSS Hospital, Mysuru. There were different counters for recording the blood pressure (BP), testing capillary blood glucose (Blood Sugar), recording electrocardiogram (ECG); and one pharmacy counter was set up to dispense free medicine for all the patients who were prescribed medication by the concerned doctors. About 903 patients benefitted from the services offered during the free medical health camp series; it mainly included a large number of children, women, and old-aged population. ECG was recorded on 58 patients, blood sugar (CBG) was tested in 480 patients, and free drugs were distributed to 528 patients. All these adjuvant services along with the patient registration counter were effectively managed by 50 NSS volunteer medical students from JSS Medical College, who were actively and tirelessly involved in assisting these counters for all 7 days throughout the conduct of the camp.

Along with this, the students took the initiative to spread awareness about the issues of importance such as nutrition, Covid 19 and menstrual hygiene, etc. A small group of students went door to door, covering most of the houses of the village to create awareness and impart knowledge to the families through posters, flyers, etc. Students discussed with the villagers to ascertain the myths and truths. Students visited different schools to spread awareness on health and hygiene. The residents of the village and school students were extremely receptive to the information being given to them.

On the seventh day of the camp i.e., 20 March 2022, a valedictory ceremony was held at Naguvanahalli Ambedkar Colony, Naguvanahalli Village. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the respected President, Vice-President, Panchayat Development Officer, and members of the Gram Panchayat, Naguvanahalli. Final remarks regarding the whole programme were passed by Vice-Principal of JSS Dental College, Dr. Chandrashekhar B.R., and NSS Programme Officer Dr. Bharath T. Some of the student volunteers expressed their experience about the programme. On behalf of large number of beneficiaries of the village, a member of the concerned Gram Panchayat overwhelmingly expressed gratitude towards outstanding services rendered through the NSS scheme.

NSS unit officer Dr. Bharath T. delivered the valedictory speech. He expressed his delight on the success of the camp in providing the volunteers with an invaluable learning experience and thanked the various dignitaries who ensured the proficient functioning of the camp. The programme ended by delivering vote of thanks by expressing heartfelt gratitude for all participants, volunteers, organizers, and office bearers of Naguvanahalli Gram Panchayat, Srirangapattana Taluk, Mandya district, who made this event a grand success.