A doctor examines a senior BMC employee at the health camp organised by the civic authority and Divine Group at BMC Recreation Club. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 17: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today started a health camp to help its employees and councillors de-stress themselves. The camp would focus on ayurvedic practices with special emphasis on Kerala’s Panchakarma treatment.

The health camp, which began at the BMC Recreation Club this morning, included nadi pariksha (pulse diagnosis) in ayurvedic method, which helps diagnose physical and mental problems of people, with a high degree of accuracy.

Tests to diagnose diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure were conducted apart from analysis on stress and obesity-related problems. Around 700 people including the mayor, municipal commissioner, senior officials and councillors participated in the programme.

BMC commissioner Vishal Kumar Dev said: “The employees can perform better if they are fit and fine. So we thought of the association with this organisation called Divine Group and called them to conduct the health care camp in our office premises today.”

Speaking on the seven-days-a-week work schedule for BMC’s senior officials he said: “It is meant for senior officials who hear the grievances of people. So, we have to ensure that they remain stress-free. The health camp is a step in that direction. Later, these camps will be replicated in all wards across the city.”

Supriya Patnaik of Divine Group that organised the camp said: “We are doing this to popularise ayurveda and the Indian system of medicine. We also want to generate awareness about various medicinal plants and their curative properties.” She added that the camps would also help tackle lifestyle related problems.

Dillip Kumar Routrai, slum improvement officer of BMC, said: “Senior officials of the corporation dealing with sections such as drainage, electricity and sanitation have to be present to hear out problems of the people even on holidays. So, the corporation has decided to assist them with this initiative, which will have a positive impact on their health. The Kerala Panchakarma treatment process was chosen as it has already been proved to be effective in stress management.’’

“Once the camps are organised in different wards, general public can also come and benefit from them,” he added.

Councillor of Ward No. 49 (Chintamaniswar Temple area) Amaresh Jena, who attended the camp, said: “The initiative undertaken by the corporation will help everyone including workers, officials and councillors. It will bring down their stress levels.”