Ahilyanagar (September 2025) – Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) organized comprehensive health awareness programmes and health camps for migrant communities in Ahilyanagar district, under the Project for Migrant Community generously supported by Salesian Mission. This critical initiative addresses severe health vulnerabilities faced by migrant populations—one of India's most marginalized and health-vulnerable communities.

Migration in search of livelihood opportunities represents rational economic decision for rural households, yet generates significant health consequences often overlooked in development discourse. Health camps serve multiple essential functions in addressing community health vulnerabilities. They Provide accessible services, offer preventive services: Health screenings identify conditions at early stages before they become serious health emergencies requiring expensive hospitalization, Provide health education: Camps combine clinical services with health education enabling communities to adopt health-promoting behaviours, Build trust in health systems: For communities with limited healthcare experience or trust in health institutions, camps begin building relationships with healthcare providers, Generate epidemiological data: Understanding health conditions prevalent in specific communities enables targeted interventions

For migrant populations, health camps often represent first contact with healthcare providers in months or years—an opportunity to address accumulated health concerns.

A total of 42 individuals directly benefited from this health camp. Community members expressed heartfelt gratitude to BGVK for this initiative and Dr. Pravin Gaikwad and Lab Technician Pramod Kamble for conducting the camp. Participants articulated emotion that "someone finally cared about our health despite us being far from home," communicating how much health vulnerability compounds sense of social exclusion and abandonment. Several expressed interest in attending future health camps and requested continuation of this critical service. Their responses reflected appreciation for both clinical services and the implicit message that their health and well-being matter.