Chennai, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ma Subramanian, visited the 'Stalin for Health' medical camp held at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kannagi Nagar, part of the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Sholinganallur zone.

This initiative is a key component of the State government’s flagship public healthcare plan, designed to deliver extensive medical services directly to the community.

After assessing the facilities, the minister stated that the program, inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on August 2, has become one of the largest community healthcare initiatives in the nation.

So far, 1,256 medical camps are being organized throughout Tamil Nadu, with three camps in every block, four in each of the five municipalities with populations over 10 lakh, and three camps each in 19 municipalities with populations under 10 lakh.

These camps go beyond standard medical check-ups; they offer comprehensive health evaluations and immediate follow-up services, guaranteeing that quality care is accessible close to home, the minister noted.

As of Saturday, the program has completed its 26th week, having hosted camps in 44 locations across 31 districts in just one day. More than 800 camps have been conducted statewide, benefiting a total of 1,234,908 individuals.

On that Saturday alone, approximately 9,951 individuals utilized medical services at various camps. This initiative also significantly contributes to connecting beneficiaries with government welfare programs.

Participants receive health insurance cards on-site, allowing them to access cashless treatment. To date, 37,445 people have gained insurance benefits through these camps.

A notable aspect of this initiative is the issuance of disability identity cards directly at the camps, eliminating the need for individuals with disabilities to travel to district collectorates for certification.

Thus far, 46,657 individuals with disabilities have benefited from this service. The minister highlighted that the program has already been completed in seven districts, including Mayiladuthurai, Nilgiris, Perambalur, Kancheepuram, Tirupattur, Nagapattinam, and one additional district, with plans to expand to the remaining areas soon.

The camps provide services across 17 medical specialties, including general medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, ENT, physiotherapy, dentistry, mental health, pulmonology, diabetology, radiology, general surgery, Siddha, and Indian systems of medicine.

The overwhelming response indicates that the program has developed into a model of people-centric governance, the minister concluded.