Around 1,000 residents of the picturesque hill station of Matheran have received vital medical screenings and diagnoses over three days thanks to a multispeciality medical camp aimed at boosting access to healthcare among the local population.
Nestled among the lush slopes of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Matheran is home to around 5,500 people spread across scattered hamlets with limited access to specialised medical services.
Responding to the need for filling this gap in accessibility to health services, the Health Department of the Dawoodi Bohra community, in collaboration with Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, conducted a three-day multispeciality medical camp from June 2nd to 4th as part of the community’s global Project Rise initiative. The objective was to provide specialised, free-of-cost healthcare services and consultations to the inhabitants of Matheran.
“Usually, the residents of Matheran have had to travel long distances to Karjat or Pune for specialist medical consultations,” said Suvarna Dilesh Kadam, a 45-year-old resident suffering from chronic joint pain. “Getting treated here, at our doorstep, is a huge relief,” she added.
Held at His Holiness Syedna Taher Saifuddin Memorial Hall, the initiative witnessed an overwhelming response. A rotating team of 25 doctors from Saifee Hospital, supported by a team of 9 staff members, attended to patients during the camp. Along with this, 30 volunteers from the communityt worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the medical camp among locals, facilitating pre-event registrations and managing on-ground assistance and patient flow throughout the event. Officials from the Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council and Police personnel were also present at the camp and were highly appreciative of this initiative.
The camp offered diagnostics, consultations in general medicine, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, cardiology (including ECG), dental treatment, gynaecology, and more — all completely free of cost, including prescribed medicines and follow-up referrals to Saifee Hospital in Mumbai. An X-ray machine as well as pathology services were available on site.
Despite having a municipal hospital and a few clinics, locals often struggle to access specialised healthcare and services for age-related ailments. Dr. Mustafa Parekh, an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon representing Saifee Hospital, observed, “The concerns we’re coming across are more about the elderly, related to physical ageing factors. Matheran is still struggling to find appropriate medical infrastructure to cater to such issues. We are glad that this camp will help patients who have had to put such issues on the back burner to at least acknowledge them and take corrective action.”
Eighty-year-old Lilabai Hanumant Salunke from Rohidas Nagar, who would usually have to travel to Pune for arthritis treatment, expressed her gratitude. She said, “Travelling to Pune for my occasional check-ups takes up the entire day. However, at this health camp, I got my check-up, diagnosis, as well as medicine without leaving town.”
Huzefa Shehabi, CEO of Saifee Hospital, reflected on the more profound legacy behind the initiative, “This place has a special connection with His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, whose grandfather and father spent a significant amount of time in this place and what better way to continue that legacy than by serving the local population through this healthcare intervention.”
Project Rise is the global philanthropic initiative of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Focused on sustainability, healthcare, nutrition, and education, it brings together volunteers and professionals to uplift lives and support vulnerable communities across the world.
