Ranchi, Nov. 24: As the state health machinery struggles to reach out to the masses of Jharkhand, some 200 Adivasi doctors have come together under the Tribal Medical Association (TMA) to spread awareness about medicare in remote areas.

“The government makes many plans to improve the health services in the remote areas but these remain only on paper. These plans are made in cosy rooms of Ranchi and no effort is made to go to the grassroots level,” said Marshal Lugun, president of the association.

Lugun said there were many tribal areas in Jharkhand where the government machinery had failed to reach.

“Being tribals, we can better understand the problems of those living in far-flung areas. Moreover, we can communicate better with the tribals about their health concerns and address them in a much better way. That was the idea behind forming this association,” he added.

He said a large percentage of tribal population live in villages and hundreds of them die of diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhoea. Many of the tribals are ignorant about the diseases and had no clue on how to tackle them.

“We would like to work in those villages for the improvement of their health and overall living standard.”

Lugun said the association was formed a long time ago but it remained in a dormant stage. Recently some tribal doctors from the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) got together and decided to revive it. A meeting of the association was held yesterday at which an executive committee was constituted to give it a formal shape.

“Most tribals are illiterate and there is a lack of awareness about the various diseases dogging them. There are many villages where the government machinery has failed to reach. We intend to visit these areas and educate the people about the health problems and how to tackle them. The job will be easier for us as we know the areas better and also understand the local tribal language,” said Nishit Ekka, convener of the association.

To begin with, the association has decided to organise health camps every month in the rural areas of Ranchi district. These camps will be extended to many more areas of the state in the coming days.

Villagers will not only be given free treatment, they will also be educated about the various common diseases and how to tackle them.

“We are launching a major membership drive to increase our strength. We plan to raise money through a membership drive. We will also seek help from established medical practitioners in terms of medicines which will be distributed free of cost among the people,” Lugun said. He said the association would focus on areas where the government had failed to reach.