Sancoale Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member Anita Thorat lights a traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of free health camp focusing on free thyroid check-ups organized by Paradeep Phosphates at Cyclone Shelter, Zuarinagar.
ZUARINAGAR: Sancoale Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member Anita Thorat inaugurated a health camp organized by Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) at Cyclone Shelter in Zuarinagar on Tuesday morning. The camp, focusing on free thyroid check-ups, was conducted under PPL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The event was attended by PPL Goa Unit Head Nilesh Dessai, social worker Eddie Fernandes, and other local dignitaries.
Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Thorat expressed her gratitude to PPL for organizing the free health camp, which she noted was particularly important for women. “Thyroid is a very important aspect of human health, and PPL has done a great job by organizing this free healthcare camp under their CSR initiative. These tests are vital for the society, especially for women and housewives who often ignore their health due to the demands of daily life,” said Thorat.
Thorat stressed the need for regular health check-ups, noting that thyroid problems often go undetected. “In today’s competitive world, people are so focused on their workload that they either ignore their health or don’t find time to check themselves. Such free camps offer people an opportunity to monitor their health. Thyroid issues, in particular, can explain sudden weight changes or unexplained health problems,” she added.
Thorat also highlighted the need for more such initiatives targeted at homemakers. “Housewives make the biggest contribution to their families but often delay medical check-ups. Our organization, Mahila Shakti, has been conducting health camps on a grand scale, and we are ready to collaborate with PPL for more such initiatives. Zuarinagar has a large female population, and together we can organize more comprehensive health camps for women,” she said.
PPL Goa Unit Head Nilesh Dessai explained that the health camp was part of the company’s CSR efforts. “PPL, formerly known as Zuari Agro Chemicals, has always been at the forefront of CSR activities since its inception in 1971. Though we faced financial difficulties over the past four years, after the PPL takeover in 2022, we have regained momentum. This health camp may seem small, but we are committed to organizing bigger projects in the future,” said Dessai.
Social worker Eddie Fernandes also praised the initiative, noting that many people had benefited from the free thyroid tests. “A thyroid test can cost up to Rs 700 in a lab, and many people avoid it due to the expense. This free initiative by PPL is helping a lot of people. Our MLA Anton Vas was supposed to inaugurate the event, but he had to rush to GMC hospital to assist a patient from Cortalim. He requested that the camp proceed as scheduled, since thyroid tests need to be done on an empty stomach,” Fernandes explained.
The health camp was well-received by the local community, providing much-needed medical assistance, especially for women in the Zuarinagar area.