Pune, 23 June 2025: Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune organised a free medical camp from 17th to 19th June 2025 to serve devotees participating in the annual Palkhi festival. As part of its commitment to community outreach and public health, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune mobilised its medical teams and infrastructure to ensure timely and accessible healthcare for thousands of devotees arriving from across the country.
Spearheaded by the Department of Community Medicine, the three-day initiative focused on preventive care and on-ground support. A team of 30 medical interns was deployed at the Rural Hospital, while another 18 interns and postgraduate students were stationed at the Rural Health Training Centre in Alandi. To manage special duty requirements and emergencies, a dedicated mobile van and ambulance were also made available.
Over 2,500 devotees availed themselves of the free health services. The medical check-ups included blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar tests, complete blood count, urine investigations, and routine diagnostics. General medicines were distributed to those experiencing common ailments such as fatigue, joint pain, fever and dehydration-related concerns.
The initiative was led by key academic and medical leaders of the institution including Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri Pune; Dr. Hetal Rathod, Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine and Dr. H. H. Chawan Medical Superintendent of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri Pune. Their teams played a pivotal role in executing the outreach effort with efficiency and care.
Hon’ble Dr. (Mrs.) Bhagyashree Patil, Pro Chancellor of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), said, “Through these camps, we aimed to extend not just medical services but also compassion and support to the devotees. It was a privilege to serve the community in this way and the initiative reflected our ongoing commitment to public health and well-being.”
Hon’ble Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee and Treasurer of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, added, “Our aim is to create a healthier and more equitable future for all. Through such outreach, we continue to uphold our mission of making healthcare services affordable and accessible to those in need.”
Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, said, “This initiative not only provided timely medical care to the pilgrims but also offered our students valuable hands-on experience. By participating in such community-focused events, they gained deeper insight into the importance of empathy, service and practical skills that go beyond textbooks.”
Dr. Hetal Rathod, Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, added, “Our Medical teams ensured that the devotees receive timely medical care for their journey. Coordination with local health authorities helped us provide seamless health service delivery during this gathering.”
By facilitating this medical camp, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune has once again demonstrated its leadership in delivering healthcare beyond hospital walls. The initiative not only ensured the safety and wellbeing of the Palkhi devotees but also strengthened the institution’s legacy of combining medical education with meaningful community impact.