A free check-up camp in Byculla found that nearly 95% of the 225 traffic police personnel who attended had one or more diseases and disorders
A medical camp organised by an NGO has thrown up a worrying statistic: Nearly 95% of the traffic police personnel who came to the camp had one or more diseases or disorders.
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The free check-up camp, held in Byculla and organised by NGO Humanitarian Welfare and Research Foundation and IDMA, saw 225 of the 3,400 traffic police personnel in the city in attendance on Saturday. Doctors from the JJ and Nair hospitals were surprised to find that nearly 95% of the personnel were suffering from one or more of the following: obesity, heart problems, abnormal blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, calcium deficiency and anaemia. “This was a routine check up for our staff but the number of diseases that the doctors found left us all shocked. Our staff members work day and night for the welfare of the motorists,” said a traffic official.
“Staff members who man traffic signals and spend a long time on the roads have often complained of breathing problems and lung issues. The medical camp made it clear that our personnel are not fit and need proper medication and attention,” he added.
Dr B K Upadhyay, joint commissioner of police (traffic), said, “The medical camp was organised to help our staffers. Many of them did not even know about their diseases and were detected with severe medical problems. We will be helping them by referring them to hospitals and taking other necessary steps. We have also started conducting yoga and meditation programs to keep staffers fitter and happier.”
Ominous: Out of the 225 attendees
15%
were suffering from asthma
20%
had diabetes
20%
had abnormal blood pressure
40%
were obese
40%
of female officers were anaemic
40%
had heart issues
40%
had calcium deficiency