Santal Medical Camp - Where there is no doctor!

From Witch Doctors to Medical Care !

A free medical camp was held at Ruthvadi Village where 200 Santal tribal people came and were treated for free and medicines were given. Engage India held this camp in parntership with Operation Blessing India and Rotary Club Madhupur. The Santal are an animistic tribe that go to the witch doctor when they are sick. The
call on their evil spirits to make them well. They offer expensive blood offering to their gods, and most often this gets them into debts. Through this medical camp, we were able to promote awareness among them about the benefits of going to the doctor. In that region of 15 villages there is a medical centre that is 15 kilometers away and a place that few people use. This was an excellent camp where people participated and were able to get treatment for a wide range of sicknesses. we have received some wonderful reactions from the patients. "I have been sick for 3 years, and only today i come to realise that i have Tuberculois that needs medical treatment". "I would have never got medical help, if it had not been for this camp, because over generations we never go to the doctor". "We have been in debt and this camp has given me medicines that i could have never offorded." We have also had some wonderful reports from the doctors, "This is the best camp i have never been a part of." "I have been a part of many camps, but this is a unique camp, because of the extent of the impact and local participation."

Daniel
(For Engage India/ BCSD)