Organising free health camp: insight into the approach of public and private sectors hospitals

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization in the year 2019, World Health Day has focused on Universal Health Coverage, with the theme Health for all - everyone, everywhere. It is essential to provide basic primary care to every stratum of society. This article discussed organizing a mega health camp by an institute of national importance in eastern India and the insight into the approaches. Methods: Community-based mega health camp organized at the satellite center to address the medical and surgical problems and their effective management. The organizers are interviewed based on structured questionnaires. A few Marketing personnel were interviewed, and a focused group discussion was made for the beneficiaries to understand their feedback. Results: Total number of patients who availed of the consultation is 2485. The maximum number of patients reported to the specialties like Dermatology (487), Neurology (332), General Medicine (273), Orthopaedics (270), Eye (266), Endocrinology (191), Gastroenterology (188), ENT (153). Conclusions: Meticulous planning within a brief span of time, statutory compliance, event awareness, support of opinion leaders, collaborative efforts, and community involvement are some of the crucial factors contributing to the massive success of a camp. A divergent approach towards health camps by public and private sector hospitals is essential.