Palghar, Maharashtra: A district-wide health screening and treatment campaign for students of ashram schools in Palghar has been launched today, June 20, at the Nandore Ashram School. The initiative is being carried out by the Rural Health Training Centre and Medical Team of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals and Grant Government Medical College, Mumbai, under the guidance of District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar.

The campaign will cover 33 ashram schools across Palghar, with expert doctors conducting health checkups and follow-up treatments. The program is designed to improve the overall health and well-being of tribal students, with regular interventions planned beyond this initial round.

Speaking at the inauguration, Jakhar emphasised that this is not a one-time activity. “The initiative will be repeated regularly, ensuring consistent health monitoring of all ashram school students in the district,” she said.

The Rural Health Training Centre, established in Palghar in 1956, has been providing primary and secondary healthcare services in the region. Through this campaign, the Centre aims to elevate healthcare standards in tribal residential schools with the active involvement of medical professionals, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, and medical students. 

The first health camp on June 20 saw health checkups conducted for 500 students. In addition to the screenings, the event included a tree plantation activity by Jakhar and Assistant Collector Vishal Khatri.

Other dignitaries present included Deputy Collector Mahesh Sagar; Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, Dean of JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai; Dr. Geeta Pardeshi, Professor and Head of Department; and Dr. Rakesh Waghmare, Senior Faculty and Head of the Palghar Rural Health Team.

The Palghar medical team was led by Dr. Sachin Navale and Dr. Balaji Nalgonde, along with Dr. Ajit R., Dr. Aishwarya B., senior nurses Bharati Ambekar and Krupa Patel, lab technician Sunanda Gavit, pharmacist Sarvesh Loharkar, nursing and medical students, ambulance drivers, and other volunteers.

The campaign is being fully supported by the district administration and is conducted in collaboration with the Citizen Association for Child Rights (CACR), a non-governmental organization working for child welfare.