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The number of private hospitals may have risen steadily in Salt Lake, but the same cannot be said of specialised medical assistance for elderly residents. With this objective in mind, the Paritosh Sen Memorial Elderly Care Society conducted a health camp for senior citizens at the BC Block community hall.
The camp was not restricted to the elderly although a majority of those who turned up were senior citizens.
Diabetes, heart check-up and blood tests were among the main tests that were performed free. In addition, there was a dietician to assist the elderly maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Secretary Sarmistha Sen Das thanked BC Block Residents’ Association for providing the venue. “We were not getting a proper place for this health camp till they came forward.”
The organisation celebrated its first birthday on February 6 and has tied up with hospitals like Susrut Eye Foundation, Rotary Narayana Nethralaya and Narayana Hrudayalaya in Sector V and AMRI Hospitals and has already conducted a series of health camps and seminars. They have also conducted an eye camp in the slums of Duttabad.
The body also takes senior citizens out to picnics. Taki on the banks of the Ichhamati has been a popular destination. Vice-president Tripti Chakraborty said: “The fascination with Ichhamati river is boundless among seniors, specially among those who are from across the Bengal border.” The society also holds regular picnics in Shimla, near Serampore. “We have tie-ups with the Srirampur Senior Citizen’s Club and at picnics there, we organise fashion shows for the aged as well as other fun programmes,” she added.
The society also provides legal, medical and social counselling for senior citizens and can refer patients to doctors in urgent cases. Patients get discounts for pathology, radiology and MRI tests at centres that the body has tie-ups with and even non-members can avail of 15 per cent discount on pathology tests if they approach the organisation.
The body has more than 80 members and the membership fee is Rs 250 per annum. It also organises meets among its members every second and fourth Saturday of a month when members participate in friendly discussions, recreational activities, music programmes and put up other performances.
Among those who turned up for a check-up was R.N. Mukherjee of BD Block. Too infirm to speak, he had come to get an ECG done. He went back with a smile on his face and the report in hand.
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