MAHE | Partnerships for the Goals

Outreach activities by the Department of Community Medicine, KMC Manipal

Since the year 2022, the Department of Community Medicine implemented the NMC mandated District Residency Program and initiated patient care services at select government health facilities of Udupi District. The department provides health services through postgraduates from all 25 broad specialties and interns of KMC Manipal. The facilities where services are provided is as detailed below:

24x7 Services at District Hospital Udupi (124 beds), Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Udupi (200 beds) &Taluk Hospital Kundapura (200 beds).
24x7 Services at Five Community Health Center’s namely Byndoor (30 beds), Brahmavara (30 beds), Hebri (30 beds), Shirva (10 beds), Kota (30 beds).
Four PHC’s (09.00 AM to 04.00 PM) namely Malpe, Kumbashi, Udupi, Manipal.

All these centres provide health care services to about 2000 -2500 patients per day. The total number of deliveries from these centers for the year 2024 is 3,075 which included 1599 caesarean deliveries.

The Department of Community Medicine implemented the NMC mandated Family Adoption Program through which undergraduate medical students have so far adopted 3217 families across 6 villages with a population of 34738. Students visit these families periodically and assess their health status.

The Department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal has conducted 168 camps in the year 2024 which includes 91 cancer screening camps, 50 Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) camps, 20 General Health check up camps, 7 school Health Check up camps in various parts of Udupi district and outside the district in Karnataka. The department of Community Medicine also conducted 12 health awareness activities.

Cancer Screening camps

The Department of Community medicine is undertaking cancer screening camps in almost all the government health centres in the district on regular basis. A total of 91 cancer screening camps were conducted, with 2,976 beneficiaries during the year 2024. The 'Well Women Clinic' initiative had been launched by Department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal in collaboration with Department of OBG and Kasturba Hospital; NCD Cell, Udupi district, and the Manipal Foundation, Bengaluru.

Screening camps provided community-level services through a network of Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), Taluk Hospitals, and community halls. Additionally, screenings were conducted at specialized cancer screening kiosks located at KMC hospital facilities in Manipal.

The initiative targeted underprivileged women, including tribal and migrant women in the Udupi district, providing cancer awareness sessions and screening services for breast and cervical cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and anaemia.

Women who tested positive in the cancer screenings were referred to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, for further confirmation tests at no cost and received appropriate treatment at MCCCC as needed. Women with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or low hemoglobin levels were referred to their respective PHCs for further management.

This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) camp

The Department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal along with the Department of Pediatrics, OBG and Psychiatry, KMC Manipal conducts RBSK camp at various government health facilities including Community Health centres and Taluk Hospitals. Children are screened for Birth Defects, Deformities, Nutritional Deficiencies and disabilities. 50 such RBSK camps were conducted in the year 2024 and there were 1,710 children who availed the benefit of the camps. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is an initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM) in India, aimed at early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays and health issues. It directly aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focusing on health, well-being, and education like SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years by providing timely health screenings and referrals, Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage by offering equitable health services for children from marginalized sections)

General Health check up camps

20 general Health check up camps were conducted with 3,057 beneficieries. Some of the noteworthy camps included Tribal Health camp at Koraga Tribal Community, Siddapura. The services provided in the free camp were general health checkup, General skin conditions, oral health check-up and GRBS, Haemoglobin measurement and appropriate referrals were provided.

Rotary Club Manipal in association with Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE Manipal with the involvement of department of General Medicine, organized the medical camp at Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavar, Udupi. The services provided in the free camp were general health check-up, ECG, hemoglobin test and random blood glucose test. A total of 105 bus drivers of the school availed these services.

The Department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal in association with Urban PHC, District Health and Family welfare office, Udupi and District NCD cell, Udupi Manipal organized a general health check up camp at DC Office, Manipal, Udupi. The services provided in the free camp were general health checkups, General skin conditions, Eye consultations and referrals to higher centres and ECGs by the Department of Medicine, DH, Udupi. Free medications, GRBS, COVID vaccination and PMJAY card were provided by DH Udupi staff for the needy after consultation.

The described health camps contribute significantly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those focusing on health, well-being, and reducing inequalities. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being: (Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to essential health services and medications). SDG 1: No Poverty (Target 1.3: Implement social protection systems and measures for all, including social protection floors). SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all). SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. (Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships between public, private, and civil society organizations).

School Health Check up camps

7 School health check up camps were conducted at SVS English Medium Primary and High school, Vishwendarnagar, Innanje, Udupi, St.Cecilys English Medium Higher Primary School, Udupi, Silas International School , Udupi, HM Sagar Vidya Mandir, Padubidri, Konchadi Radha Shenai Government Higher Primary School, Kharvikeri, Gangoli, Sri Anandeshwara HigherPrimary School, Udupi and Madhav Kripa School, Academy Higher Primary School, Manipal. The camps were organized to to screen for Personal Hygiene of students, general health conditions, Fungal and parasitic infections, Vision testing, Dental hygiene and systemic disorders. There were a total of 3,996 children who availed the benefits of the camp.

The school health check-up camps described contribute significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on child health, education, and well-being. Here's how the camps align with specific SDGs: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years, and improve child health outcomes, Target 3.3: Combat communicable diseases, including waterborne diseases and other infections, Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including essential health services and access to medicines).

Health awareness activities

Several health awareness activities were undertaken by the department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal. Few activities are described below.

The National Service Scheme (NSS) Team, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, in collaboration with Primary Health Centre, Siddhapur, and Rotary Club Siddhapur-Hosangadi, conducted two days of NSS camp in Siddhapur. A street play was conducted at Siddapur Bus Stand to create awareness among the people about controlling cholera and other infectious diseases. On the second day of the camp, a BLS (Basic Life Support) workshop was conducted for Sankaranarayan and Amasebailu police personnel and ASHA workers of that area. A workshop was conducted on first aid for auto drivers and digital awareness for children.

A huge health camp and science, commerce, art, environment, general knowledge and educational material exhibition was conducted at Bhandarkar College for Arts and Science, Kundapura. A blood donation drive was also organized.

On occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking 2024, an awareness session on drug abuse & prevention at Board High School & PU college, Udupi was organized under the joint auspices of Indian Red Cross Society, Udupi district, Board High School & PU college, Udupi, Red Ribbon Club, Junior Red Cross unit & Community Medicine Department KMC, Manipal.

First aid and CPR training programme was held for the employees of Hotel Fortune Inn Valley view, Manipal. Later all the resource persons provided hands on training to the participants about CPR.

The health awareness activities described contribute significantly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting health education, disease prevention, and community empowerment. Here's how these activities align with the SDGs: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases, Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, Target 3.6: Reduce deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents, Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including health education)

Services provided through Rural Maternity and Child welfare Homes (RMCWH)

In addition, the Department of Community Medicine provides services through five Rural Maternity and Child Welfare (RMCW) Homes since 1960s. These were established by our founder, Late Dr TMA Pai with the active participation of the local community, at a time when the transport and communication network in the taluk was rudimentary. The area covers a population of 40,172 spread out across 8 villages in the coastal area of Udupi taluk. A network of five RMCW Homes located at Alevoor, Kaup, Malpe, Udyavara, and Kadekar villages, not only provides maternal and child health services but also takes care of minor ailments in the community. The Malpe Centre initiated a Community Cancer Screening Clinic in the year 2012. Besides Malpe, all the other centres provide screening facilities for non-communicable diseases. The centre also conducts interdisciplinary activities with the Dept of Physiotherapy, Psychiatry and College of Dentistry. These centres are under the direct administrative control of the Dept of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. Each centre is staffed by two Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), one Environmental Assistant, and a sanitary worker.

Details on beneficiaries of RMCW Homes where services are exclusively provided through Department of Community Medicine in the year 2024

Total population - 40,172

Outpatients (General) - 6,642

Outpatients (OBG-ANC) - 343

Outpatients (Pediatric) - 816

Referred to Kasturba Hospital - 57

On an average 130-140 patients regularly visit these centres every week, which amounts to a total of 6,642 patients in the year 2024. Approximately we had 5 to 10% new patients coming every week and the rest were regular patients.