New Delhi: Lifeline Laboratory, Delhi’s premier pathology lab, as part of its CSR initiative, launched a series of health camps to conduct blood tests in collaboration with Chintan, an Environment and Action Research Group, which works at the grassroots level to improve the lives of the underprivileged section of society. Chintan’s social outreach programmes cover a wide range of activities, from waste management to providing education and life skills to waste workers and their children.
Ahead of organising this series of blood tests, a meeting was organised, in which the slum level stakeholders including local health workers, youth organisation representatives, and community leaders participated. Decisions regarding the date, venue, and implementation plan for the blood donation camp were finalised as a part of this meeting.
During the camp, CBC blood test (complete blood count), height and weight measurements were done to check their basic health parameters. The entire series of such health camps endeavours to cover over 700 underprivileged women who are waste pickers.
Keeping in mind the current COVID-19 restriction and protocols, Lifeline Laboratory ensured and followed standard screening protocol prior to donation. Waiting queues were marked at a distance of 2 feet each, hand sanitisers and masks were provided to all. At the camp, the haemoglobin level was measured by the Hemocue method. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered to those who reported to the blood donation camp. As a token of appreciation, mementoes were given to blood donors.
Speaking on the successful completion of the Camp, Dr Asha Bhatnagar, Co-Founder & Director, Lifeline Laboratory said, “Waste pickers play a very prominent role in ensuring cleanliness and hygiene of the city as most of the time they perform their duties under very adverse conditions and making them reluctant towards their health. It is no secret, and we all know that one healthy woman amounts to one healthy family. It is our endeavour to improve the health of underprivileged women. We aim to continue conducting such blood test camps across slums in Delhi in the future.”
Lifeline Laboratory completed the series of health camps for women over 18 years at five different slum areas – Bhalswa JJ Colony, Bhalswa Landfill, Murga Mandi, Wazirwabad and Mahipalpur.
“Lifeline Laboratory has started the initiative for their blood test so that the participants could become aware of their health conditions and could get better health care. Lifeline Laboratory ensured that if any disease was noticed during the blood test, the participant would be diagnosed free of cost and referred to the nearest government hospital,” added Dr Bhatanagar.
