Panaji: Emphasising the importance of preventive healthcare and early detection, the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa, in association with Manipal Hospital Goa and the Directorate of Health Services, organised a health camp at the Collectorate Office premises in Panaji.
The initiative focused on making basic health screening and medical consultations more accessible while encouraging people to undergo regular check-ups, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms.
The camp was attended by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, Director of Health Services Dr Medha Salkar, and Dr Shekar Salkar, Chief of Oncology, Manipal Hospital Goa.
Participants were offered a range of preventive health assessments, including thyroid screening, ECG, bone density assessment, BMI measurement, random blood sugar testing, blood pressure checks, height and weight measurements and eye screening.
Women above the age of 40 were also offered Pap smear screening, which helps identify early changes in the cervix that may potentially lead to cervical cancer.
The camp further provided consultations with general physicians, Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists and ophthalmology professionals. Vision screening was also conducted, while reading glasses were provided to participants who required them.
Speaking on the initiative, North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, highlighted the importance of identifying health concerns at an early stage. He said regular check-ups can help detect potential health problems even before symptoms become noticeable and appreciated Manipal Hospital Goa and the Directorate of Health Services for supporting the initiative.
Director of Health Services Dr Medha Salkar stressed the importance of eye health, noting that good vision plays an essential role in everyday life but is often overlooked. She highlighted that timely eye examinations can help identify vision problems and enable appropriate care.
Dr Shekar Salkar, Chief of Oncology at Manipal Hospital Goa, said several health conditions can remain unnoticed until they begin affecting daily life. He emphasised that regular screening provides an opportunity to identify possible concerns early and seek appropriate medical advice.
The health camp brought together government authorities and healthcare professionals with a common objective of promoting regular screening, early detection and timely medical consultation.
With screenings covering a range of common health concerns and specific services for women and vision-related needs, the initiative reinforced the message that preventive healthcare begins with taking the first step towards a regular health check-up.
