His Majesty’s Kidu Mobile Medical Unit (KMMU) saw 4,455 people in 12 days last month in a series of medical camps held in Samdrup Jongkhar.
The medical camps were held in the BHUs of Gomdar, Lauri, Jomostangkha and Phuntshothang from February 9 -24.
The KMMU offers specialized clinical services in places far from the national referral hospital in Thimphu. The team carried out 71 major and 143 minor operations.
A total of 864 women had Pap smear or VIA screening for risk of cervical cancer, and those with suspected risk had their biopsies taken. 343 people had endoscopies of upper gastro-intestinal tract, and biopsies were taken for suspected risky lesions.
859 people received ultrasound check-up. The team also successfully delivered twin babies in Jomotshangkha via C-section.
The team also carried out eye tests and identified 88 cases of cataract that will need surgery. Eye-check up was begun from the KMMU camp held in Samtse during the National Day celebrations. 94 people received eye surgery in a follow-up eye- surgery camp in Samtse.
A follow-up Kidu Eye camp will be held in towards the end of March for the cataract surgeries to be done in Samdrup Jongkhar.
His Majesty’s Kidu Mobile Medical Unit was initiated in 2009 upon Royal Command, to give access to specialized healthcare to people who live far from the capital. This is especially important since the majority of the rural population are farmers, and do not have time to visit Thimphu for comprehensive check-ups and treatment.
Besides providing out-patient services, the unit carries out a number of tests and screenings for diseases that are prevalent in Bhutan. This has helped identify patients at risk of developing these diseases.
The camp provides medical advice, medicines, and recommendations for follow-up treatment. Often, follow-up camps to carry out specialized surgeries are held so that the patients need not travel away from their homes.
