A a free health checkup and treatment camp was organised for tribal persons by Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), Karkala, at Kukkundur in Karlaka taluk on Sunday, February 22.

In all, 136 tribal persons were screened at a free health checkup and treatment camp organised for them by Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), Karkala, at Kukkundur in Karlaka taluk on Sunday, February 22.

Those screened were from Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts, particularly from areas which were once hit by Maoist activities.

Of 105 persons screened for eye-related problems, doctors recommended spectacles for 60 persons and eye surgeries for 15 persons. The surgeries will be performed free of cost at Prasad Netralaya in Udupi while spectacles will also be given free of cost, a release from ANF said.

Of 65 persons screened for dental problems, doctors recommended treatment for 18 persons, who were referred to A.B. Shetty Dental College.

A general health checkup was done for 74 persons, out of which five persons were referred to KMC Hospital in Manipal for treatment.

In all, 105 women were screened for breast and cervical cancer, out of which one woman was suspected to have breast cancer. In addition, 28 women were suspected to have cervical cancer. The samples were collected for verification tests, and the women were referred to A.J. Cancer Institute.

Hariram Shankar, Superintendent of Police and also Superintendent of Police, ANF, said the medical institutions that the screened persons were referred to will bear the patients’ treatment costs.

ANF’s vehicles transported some tribal persons living in remote areas to and from the camp.

In all, 60 doctors from Prasad Netralaya, KMC Manipal, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, A.J. Cancer Institute, K. Amarnath Shetty Charitable Trust, and the Indian Cancer Society screened the persons.

Mr. Shankar said that the camp was organised to create health awareness among tribal persons and bring health services to their doorstep.