A TEAM of 50 doctors, nurses and medical support staff, including many from Huddersfield and Calderdale, have jetted off to India on a life-saving mission.
Working for The Slumdoctor Project, founded by local NHS trust consultant diabetologist Dr Vijay Bangar, they will be treating some of the Punjab region’s poorest people.
Dr Bangar began taking medical personnel to the village of Phillaur four years ago. “This year’s is the biggest team we have had,” he said, “we expect to be able to treat thousands of people.”
Last year more than 8,000 turned out to access the free medical help, some had travelled up to 100km on foot.
Vijay’s team, which includes an ophthalmologist, rheumatologist paediatricians and other specialists, spent one week working 12 hours at stretch.
This year a total of £30,000 was raised by supporters to meet the costs of the medical aid. Those who work for the charity fund their own travel and living expenses.
Vijay received a cheque for £1,600 from the Huddersfield Sikh community. Dr Rupinderjit Kaur Randaw, a member of the community, is one of the doctors travelling to Phillaur.
Details of how to help Slumdoctor can be found the organisation’s FaceBook page.
