SRINAGAR: On Doctors Day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) in collaboration with Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) today held a day long free medical camp for Safai Karamcharis at Makhdoom Sahib here.
While inaugurating the camp, President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that Safai Karamcharis are exposed to certain health hazards by virtue of their occupation and their health is a cause of concern.
Their work requires them to be in unhygienic places and they are prone to serious health risks.
It is they who clean all the filth and ironically no medical facilities are provided to them.
They work without safety equipments and implements which makes them vulnerable to diseases and infections.
They are exposed to occupational noxious agents that are responsible for serious ailments in them.
Despite the importance of these sanitary workers in ensuring clean environment, they live in extreme dire conditions.
A team of specialist doctors conducted their health check-ups and raised awareness among the workers regarding safer work procedures and use of personal protection devices.
Majority of them had respiratory complaints and lung function studies revealed abnormal respiratory functions in them.
Most of the workers were unvaccinated against Hepatitis and Tetanus to which they are vulnerable.
Diabetics and Hypertensives were uncontrolled because they were not taking regular drugs due to unaffordablity.
Osteoarthritic changes and intervertebral disc slips were the common spinal abnormalities in these workers.
It was painful to see them in depression because of prejudice against them from society.
Lack of occupational health services is responsible for high mortality rate among these workers.
These workers were screened for Hepatitis B, C and HIV besides blood sugar, thyroid tests, lipid profile, ECG and ultrasound was done on them.
Free medicines were provided to them.
At the end, the awardees nominated for 2016 Appreciation Awards were felicitated by DAK President.
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