400-500 patients undergo free BMD test in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 29 (UNI) About 400-500 people, aged above 40 years, underwent a bone mineral density (BMD) test at a free medical camp organised by a group of doctors in collaboration with Ranbaxy.

The Ismail Foundation Trust had organised the two-day camp for the poor people who could not afford such an expensive test as the facility was not available in the government hospitals in Kashmir.

Speaking about the camp, Dr Imtiyaz Hussain said the BMD test measures the mineral density (such as calcium) in the bones using a special X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound.

He said a BMD machine costs more than Rs 20 lakh and no government hospital had such a facility while the private healthcare institutions charged about Rs 1000 for the test.

Dr Hussain said the Trust would organise these free medical camps after every two months across the Kashmir valley.

He said the people in Kashmir suffered several bon-realted problems due to climatic conditions, nutritional deficiency and bad posture habits.

Dr Hussain said the Trust had earlier organised these free medical campst at Srigufwara and Mattan in Anantnag district.

He said the Trust, besides organising free medical camps, also provided help to the poor and the needy and the orphans.

UNI