Ten years and counting, Wyra’s Bodepudi medical camp proves a boon for poor

The first medical camp was launched in June 2015 under the aegis of Bodepudi Kala Nilayam, founded by renowned neurophysician and science movement leader Dr Gopalam Sivannarayana.

Khammam: For the past ten years, monthly medical camps organised by Bodepudi Kala Nilayam have emerged as a vital healthcare support system for thousands of underprivileged people in and around Wyra.

The first medical camp was launched in June 2015 under the aegis of Bodepudi Kala Nilayam, founded by renowned neurophysician and science movement leader Dr Gopalam Sivannarayana.

Since then, the Bodepudi Medical Camp has been held regularly on the third Sunday of every month. Over the past decade, 120 camps have been conducted—one every month—at the Bodepudi Venkateswara Rao Bhavan in Wyra, providing treatment to lakhs of patients.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Bodepudi Kala Nilayam secretary Bonthu Rambabu said that each camp draws at least a thousand patients from across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With corporate healthcare becoming increasingly unaffordable for the poor and middle class, the camp offers free consultation and provides a month’s supply of medicines at a nominal cost of just Rs.100.

Doctors and volunteers have played a pivotal role in the initiative’s success through their unwavering commitment. “Their dedication has helped earn the trust and confidence of the people,” said Dr Chikati Bharavi of Janatha Hospital, who is a regular participant.

Besides Dr Bharavi, several other well-known doctors from Khammam—including Jatla Ranga Rao and Pillalamarri Subba Rao—have been offering their services free of cost for the past ten years.

The camp is organised in memory of Bodepudi Venkateswara Rao, a Telangana peasant armed struggle fighter, former Madhira MLA, and CPM leader, Rambabu added.