How Villagers in Karchi Accessed Dental Care Through Indiahikes’ Aarogya Seva

Across regions such as Karchi, Lohajung, Sari, and Gaichawan Gaon, where we run our treks, we have now conducted six Aarogya Seva clinics with the support of multiple doctors who volunteered their time.

These clinics are not meant to stand alone. They are part of a longer journey—of showing up consistently, building trust, and slowly improving access to healthcare in the mountains.

Setting Up the Aarogya Seva Dental Clinic at Karchi

The planning for the dental clinic began well before the day itself. The dentist, Dr Ajinkya, who was trekking on the Kuari Pass route, descended early from the Tali campsite.

He arrived at the base around 11 am, and by noon, the clinic was ready to begin.

In the days leading up to the clinic, our team reached out to the Mahila Mandal Dal Adhyaksh and the village Pradhan to inform them about the programme. Word was spread across the village, inviting anyone facing dental issues or discomfort to attend the clinic.

The response was encouraging. Around 45 villagers turned up for consultations — a strong participation for a first-of-its-kind dental clinic in the area.

What Happened at the Dental Clinic in Karchi

The clinic focused primarily on dental check-ups and awareness. Dr Ajinkya examined each patient carefully and provided follow-up prescriptions, which villagers could use to purchase medicines locally.

In several cases, Dr Ajinkya also advised patients to seek further treatment at hospitals in nearby towns or cities, where more advanced facilities were available. For many villagers, this was the first time their dental concerns had been properly examined and explained by a specialist.

Beyond consultations, the clinic also became an important space for basic oral health education. Villagers learned about dental hygiene, early signs of problems, and preventive care — information that is often taken for granted in urban settings but remains unfamiliar in remote regions.

For the community, the clinic was not just about treatment. It was about awareness and reassurance.

Dr Ajinkya shared that while he had participated in medical camps during his college days, this experience was different. He had never conducted a clinic in a place this remote, where awareness was low and facilities were nearly absent.

The opportunity left a strong impression on him, and he expressed gratitude for being part of the initiative, adding that he would be honoured to volunteer again if needed.

What stood out most was the villagers’ engagement. They participated actively, asked questions, and stayed through the entire programme.

Looking Ahead at the Future of Aarogya Seva

The goal of Aarogya Seva remains straightforward: to make healthcare more accessible in regions where it is limited or absent.

As a single organisation, our reach is finite. But through the steady flow of trekkers who travel to the mountains with us each year, many of whom are medical professionals, Aarogya Seva has the potential to create a broader, collective impact over time.

Each clinic, including the one at Karchi, reinforces why this initiative matters.

Volunteer with Aarogya Seva

If you are a medical professional trekking with Indiahikes and can extend your stay by a day or two, we welcome your support in strengthening this initiative.

Aarogya Seva is a completely voluntary programme. There is no exchange of money involved. Villagers are not charged for consultations or medicines, but they deeply value the time, care, and attention offered.

Who can volunteer