30% of Jawadhu Hills tribals suffer from anaemia

About 30% of tribal people in the Jawadhu Hills are suffering from anaemia and malnutrition. Many of these individuals belong to the Malayali clan. A group of doctors from Beyond Frontiers Trust, a non-profit based in Chennai, is providing free healthcare to these communities. The medical team includes various specialists, such as pediatricians, gynecologists, and cardiologists. Dr. S.C. Chandilya, a general physician and the trust's founder, noted that most patients at these medical camps are women and elderly individuals. This is because many men are away working in larger towns and cities. For several years, the trust has partnered with the Srinivasan Services Trust, part of the TVS Group, to reach about 60 remote tribal villages. They hold medical camps at government schools on weekends. Recently, a camp in Puliyur village saw around 250 tribal members from 15 hamlets seeking treatment for various health issues. The camps focus on identifying non-communicable diseases, which can often be prevented with better education and awareness. Dr. Radhabai Prabhu, a retired gynecologist, mentioned that they have also detected thyroid problems among women, potentially linked to iron deficiency. Other common health issues in the area include diabetes, hypertension, and cancers. At these camps, patients receive treatment, free medications, and health check-ups. A network of health volunteers monitors the patients’ conditions regularly. Tribals receive individual health cards that are useful for emergencies. The camps also emphasize the importance of nutrition in daily meals. Jawadhu Hills has around 229 hamlets and a population of about 247,000 people. Although many hamlets have health sub-centers, there is a shortage of skilled healthcare workers. The free services offered by organizations like Beyond Frontiers Trust play a crucial role in meeting the healthcare needs of the community.