Like any industry, many ink manufacturers take on projects that give back to the communities they serve. One terrific example of this comes in India, where hubergroup India has sponsored two medical vans and medical teams to provide healthcare for rural areas.

hubergroup India is partnering with Rotary Vapi Riverside on this initiative. The vans will travel to 16 remote villages weekly, where medical check-ups will be performed.

“hubergroup has production sites in Daman, Vapi, and Silvassa – so many of our employees live in these regions,” said Suresh Kalra, managing director India and president Asia at hubergroup. “We believe in contributing and giving back to the people in our neighbourhood. Our endeavour to provide quality healthcare services at the doorsteps of rural residents complements the government promoted health programs.”

While the Indian government has already undertaken a lot to provide healthcare facilities to remote villages, hubergroup and Rotary Vapi Riverside aim at supporting the existing infrastructure by enabling free medical check-ups, examinations, and free medicines at the doorsteps of rural residents.

The project is being executed by hubergroup’s health occupation team under the leadership of Dr. Sagar Patel. The doctors and nurses are also employed by hubergroup.

The company therefore does not only support the project financially but also with medical know-how.

Dr. Patel noted that healthcare is still a difficult topic in many rural areas in India.

“In these regions, illnesses are often diagnosed or treated late because of skepticism towards conventional medicine and difficulties to reach medical facilities,” said Dr. Patel. “With our medical vans stopping right at the doorsteps, we aim to allay residents’ concerns and ensure they receive the medical treatment they need.”

Dr. Patel said that Rotary Vapi Riverside has extensive experience and know-how working in the local regions, which is a huge benefit. Rotary Vapi Riverside, which is already involved in the remote villages for education projects for girls, has established good contacts with the local authorities and important people in the villages. Their network and goodwill helps to create trust and confidence in hubergroup to serve them.

“We have hired an administrator who is well versed with the local language and culture,” Dr. Patel added. “This has simplified the communication with the villagers and helps us to provide residents with the care they need. Rotary Vapi Riverside also advised us to recruit female doctors and nurses as many women are reluctant to be treated by a male doctor. We are very grateful for this support.”

Treating Local Residents

The two medical vans, equipped with doctors, nurses, and basic medical equipment, move around 16 villages of Valsad districts covering two villages a day; about 45 000 people live in these areas.

The medical team will conduct routine examinations as well as medical counselling and treat basic illness – of course, free of charge. At regular intervals, it will also conduct hygiene and health awareness programs, medical camps dedicated to specific medical fields such as ENT, dental, gynaecological, and eye check-ups.

The medical team treats about 100 patients every day. So far, this included ailments such as anemia, diarrhea, URTI (upper respiratory tract infection), hypertension, diabetes, skin disorders, leucorrhea, gastrointestinal issues, and joint disorders. It is planned to further expand the capacities of the medical team.

Besides the medical examinations and check-ups, the team will also create health awareness and guide the village men as regards hygiene, diet, and healthy lifestyle.

The first results are already promising, which is great news for all.

“This initiative from hubergroup will go a long way in fulfilling our Rotary mission to help others,” said Gautam Bhavsar, president at Rotary Vapi Riverside. “It will help to contribute so that our brothers and sisters residing in remote villages do not have to suffer from the lack of treatment. We are very pleased about this collaboration with hubergroup.”

“Of course, it will take a while until we have the full trust of the residents, but the first experiences show that our offer is met with interest and that the residents take it up,” Dr. Patel concluded. “The team treats about 100 patients with a variety of ailments. Thus, I find the project is living its purpose.”