Across Assam, Karuna Fellows are bringing essential health services into places where people least expect them. From prison cells to festival grounds, they link communities with the formal health system.
At Udalguri District Jail, Karuna Fellows Sikha Daimari, Martina Daimari, Anjela Basumatary, and Ayesha Daimari led an interactive TB awareness session for 216 inmates. They described symptoms, routes of transmission, and the value of early testing. In one day, they screened 53 prisoners for TB, hypertension, diabetes and anaemia, collected sputum samples on the spot and referred 46 for further care. “Karuna Fellows played a key role in conducting TB screening and awareness inside the jail, helping us reach a neglected section of the community,” said Bilat Basumatary, NTEP PPM Coordinator.
Building on this momentum, the team moved their outreach to the Falcon Festival in Dima Hasao. Working alongside doctors, CHOs, and ANMs at a free medical stall, Karuna Fellows Albina Johori, Birta Engtipi, and Jesie Nampui, along with Gandhi Fellows Soumya Mukherjee and Rupak Das, welcomed and screened visitors. Over three days they examined 32 visitors, uncovering high blood pressure, low haemoglobin and elevated glucose levels, then referred 22 for follow-up at Umrongso CHC. When a young woman collapsed from dehydration, the Fellows stabilised her and arranged further treatment. “Their health check-ups and awareness campaigns left a lasting impression,” reflected Dr N.K. Bailung.
Their efforts continued at the Bodo Sahitya Sabha in Udalguri, where Karuna Fellows Ritumani Rabha, Janali Narzary, and Rohini Tossa provided NCD screenings (blood pressure, blood sugar, haemoglobin) and TB education to 60 visitors, referring 50 for further care. They also spoke one-on-one about TB symptoms and free treatment services. “I appreciate the Karuna Fellows for their active role in TB screening and awareness,” shared Dr Dhrubojyoti Pathak, District TB Officer, Udalguri.
Stepping into the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) Foundation Day event in Dima Hasao, the Piramal Foundation team and district medical staff, supported by Karuna Fellows Hatneting Changsan and Hoinunnem Chongloi, offered health services to council members, stakeholders, and the public. scaled up screenings for over 950 visitors for NCDs, referring 57 to nearby PHCs and distributing simple pamphlets on diet, check-ups and healthy habits. Dr Bailung noted, “Their coordination with district medical staff made a real impact.” DPMU officers added, “We are grateful for the team’s support in organising such a large-scale health screening stall.”
From jails to festivals, literary gatherings to government events, the Karuna Fellows are proving healthcare can—and should—reach everyone. By working within existing systems, they amplify their impact, weaving health awareness, screening, and referrals directly into Assam's social fabric. Their approach moves beyond temporary interventions; it’s about embedding health into the fabric of communities and strengthening sustainable ties with the health system.
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