A health screening campaign for Pune’s dhol-tasha performers has found that about two in every 10 participants examined so far have health problems, prompting organisers to expand medical checks across the city’s pathaks ahead of the Ganesh festival.
The campaign, organised by the Dhol-Tasha Mahasangh’s Pune city committee with support from Sahyadri Saraswati Karad Hospital, has screened more than 2,500 performers so far. Organisers plan to cover about 15,000 performers in stages across Pune’s 170 dhol-tasha groups.
According to doctors involved in the programme, the screenings have identified unsatisfactory haemoglobin levels, higher body-fat levels and vitamin deficiencies among some participants. The tests include blood investigations, white blood cell and platelet counts, haemoglobin, vitamins B and D, height, weight and blood-group checks.
Dr Tushar Khachane, chief executive officer of Saraswati Karad Hospital, said about two in 10 performers examined so far had low haemoglobin levels or other health concerns. The report also said that health issues were found among 30% to 35% of parents who underwent screening as part of the campaign.
The screenings come as dhol-tasha groups undertake physically demanding rehearsals, often involving prolonged playing and marching. The organisers said the initiative was launched this year on a larger scale to raise awareness about performers’ health before the festival processions.
The Indian Medical Association’s Pune branch is also conducting CPR training for dhol-tasha performers under its ‘Sanjeevani’ initiative. The training began on August 16, and more than 800 performers are expected to participate, according to Dr Alka Kshirsagar, president of the association’s Pune branch.
The remaining health screenings will be conducted in phases across the city’s dhol-tasha groups, the organisers said.
