Patna: Ash Wednesday with migrant workers from the brick kilns

On the first day of Lent, a health camp was organised by the Xavier Institute of Social Research together with Kurji Holy Family Hospital, the Holy Cross Sisters and the Bihar Migrant Hub. Medical check-ups, maternal and child care and free distribution of medicines were offered to about 150 families. In Bihar, one in six inhabitants is a migrant.

Patna (AsiaNews) - Entering Lent with the concrete practice of one of the corporal works of mercy in a significant place. This is how the Xavier Institute of Social Research – together with Kurji Holy Family Hospital, the Holy Cross Sisters and the Bihar Migrant Hub – celebrated Ash Wednesday today, setting up a free health camp for internal migrant workers and their families who work at four brick kilns in Sherpurpur, about 25 kilometres from Patna.

‘The main objective,’ says the director of the Xavier Institute, Fr. Prakash Louis, ‘was to provide basic health services to migrant workers and their families, carry out general health screenings and raise awareness of health issues.

’ Specifically, general health checks were offered, including blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, maternal and child care, free distribution of essential medicines, specialist medical consultations and information on hygiene and health prevention. About 150 migrant workers and their families participated, benefiting from the services offered.

The Xavier Institute of Social Research in Patna is a Jesuit-run research centre actively engaged in supporting migrants through research, documentation and advocacy, with a particular focus on the “Bihar Migrant Hub”, which accompanies, serves and defends migrants in difficulty.

Fr. Prakash Louis is a leading voice in highlighting the “necessity” of migration from Bihar. He noted that in this Indian state, out of a population of about 120 million people, about 20 million have migrated, often due to lack of local work and environmental factors such as flooding.

‘From this experience,’ says Fr. Prakash, "we have learned that there are some recurring pathologies among migrant workers in the kilns. With camps, we will be able to draw more accurate conclusions and take appropriate action. We have found that some workers have suffered falls and internal injuries, but due to lack of money, they are unable to seek treatment. Some also need long-term care. We are therefore considering making arrangements with the kiln owners to bring them to Patna and have them treated at Patna Medical College Hospital or Kurji Holy Family Hospital."

‘We are trying to involve former students of Jesuit schools in Patna to promote similar initiatives,’ adds the director of the Xavier Institute of Social Research. ‘In collaboration with the NGO Aid at Action, which already promotes educational activities for children from families living at the kiln, we are also planning to organise a dental and eye camp in the area.’