Mister Chheda says doctors are treating the patients fortwenty-five diseases and medical problems. Doctors treat children aswell as adults. Doctors also perform hundreds of operations duringthe camp. In addition, patients with the most serious problems aresent to hospitals in the city of Bombay.
The Bidada medical camp began thirty years ago. At first, doctorstreated only patients with eye diseases. Then the organizersexpanded the camp to help people with other diseases. Organizers saythe medical camp has treated almost two-million people since itbegan.
People in India, the United States and other countries providethe money to operate the medical camp. About fifty doctors andmedical assistants from the United States and about two-hundreddoctors and assistants from Bombay are part of the program thisyear. The doctors and other volunteers provide their serviceswithout being paid.
Many doctors who serve in the camp were born in Kutch and are nowliving in the United States. Some of them have been returning tovolunteer at the camp each year for many years. The doctors from theUnited States also teach local Indian doctors the most modernmedical techniques.
The Shree Bidada Sarvodaya Trust also organizes smaller medicalcamps for patients during the year. The organization operates thehospital in Bidada and Maru Hospital in Bombay. These hospitalstreat about three-hundred patients every day.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written byShelley Gollust. This is Robert Cohen.