Unity, harmony and consistency made farmers brave to victory  

Ludhiana, December 15, 2021: Teams of doctors formed by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) to give medical care to the farmers at Singhu and Tikri borders has said that love and harmony maintained by the farmers in over a yearlong agitation is the lesson for the society to maintain unity in diversity and also for relations among nations. This was said by the members of the medical teams speaking at an interactive session organised by the IDPD on " Medical care to the farmers during historical movement -  Experiences lessons and tasks ahead ".Their victory has shown that no force or individual, howsoever powerful it may be, is  invincible. The medical teams visited the protesting farmers 28 times and organised over 50 camps. They gave the farmers general medical care as well as specialist care for ENT, Orthopaedics, Dental, Physiotherapy and Eye care. More than 300 patients were fitted with Hearing aids free of cost. Thousands were given spectacles and hundreds were operated for Cataract. Large number of patients were given dental care. The needy were also given physiotherapy for joint and orthopaedic problems.  
It was hard times for the farmers but they braved through several odd situations. The doctors told that in the harsh situations living in trolleys, trucks and makeshift arrangements, life is very difficult both from physical and mental point of view.  Living away from their families for days together in uncertainties leads to several mental problems. In such situation hygienic conditions are poor and basic amenities are lacking which become a cause for further accentuation of health issues. That is why large number of people were found having abdominal problems, chest problems, joint problems and even cardiac issues.  Many of these increased because of lack of timely care. But it is to great satisfaction that the farmers’ movement has succeeded. Their success has paved the way for the movements for justice and equality. It is important at a time when the country is among the most unequal societies and our hunger index is at 102 out of 117 countries. Biggest task ahead is to impress upon ruling circles to declare health as a fundamental right. It is ironical that Punjab which is otherwise said to be a progressive state spends the least on public health in the country. Out of pocket expenditure on health is maximum in the state of Punjab. The IDPD has decided to observe the year 2022 as the year of peace and health. The meet demanded that money being spent on arms race should be diverted to health, education and development. For this mutual dialogue should be a continuous process with the neighbours to find solution for lasting peace. 
Those who addressed the meeting include Dr Arun Mitra, Dr Gagandeep Singh, Prof. Jagmohan Singh, Dr Param Saini, Dr Monika Dhawan, Dr Gurveer Singh, M S Bhatia, Dr.Seerat Sekhon, Dr Taniya Aulakh, Sukhwant Singh  Grewal, Kuldip Singh, Chamkaur Singh, Dr.Jasvinder Singh, Dr. Mohanjit Kaur, Ranjit Singh, G S Narula. Dr N S Bawa, Vice President of the organization honoured the medical team members including doctors and paramedical staff by giving them medals for their meritorious service.