Medical camps to be set up at tribal weekly markets

In a move to bring healthcare closer to people in remote tribal areas, District Collector Dr. N. Prabhakar Reddy has instructed health officials to organize medical camps at weekly tribal markets (santalu) across Parvathipuram Manyam district.

The Collector emphasized that these camps should provide basic diagnostic tests, including blood examinations, to identify ailments at an early stage. Patients diagnosed with illnesses would receive free treatment and medicines. He also directed officials to create awareness about seasonal diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and chikungunya, which are prevalent during this time of the year.

According to the district administration, weekly tribal markets are held at 20 locations across 11 mandals in the district. Beginning Monday, medical camps will be systematically arranged at these market hubs. To ensure participation, local officials have been asked to inform villagers in advance at the gram panchayat and mandal level.

Schedule of Medical Camps

• Monday: Navagam (Palakonda mandal), Neelakanthapuram (Kurupam mandal), Seethampeta (Seethampeta mandal)

• Tuesday: Nerellavalasa (Salur), Tadikonda (GL Puram), Mondemkallu (Kurupam)

• Wednesday: Nandeduvalasa (Pachipenta), Marripadu (Seethampeta), GL Puram (GL Puram mandal)

• Thursday: Market Yard (Parvathipuram), Duggirru (Makkuva), Palace Road (Kurupam)

• Friday: Santa Thota (Balijipeta), Vetaganivalasa (Pachipenta)

• Saturday: Nanda (Makkuva), Gorada (GL Puram), Market area (Seethanagaram), Kusimi (Seethampeta), Tonam Bus Stand (Salur)

The Collector underlined that the purpose of the initiative is not only to provide immediate medical care but also to spread preventive awareness so that people remain healthy and informed. Tribal weekly markets, known locally as santalu, are a lifeline for communities in agency and remote mandals of Andhra Pradesh. These gatherings are not only trading hubs but also social meeting points, making them an effective platform for delivering public health services. Similar healthcare outreach efforts in the past have shown positive results in detecting diseases early and reducing health disparities among tribal populations.