Hundreds of underprivileged patients in Haridwar are finding new hope as Akums, in collaboration with Rotary International Club and Interplast Germany, kicks off its 14th free Plastic Surgery Camp at Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital.

 

The ten-day initiative, running from 10 to 21 November, brings together a team of highly skilled German doctors providing life-changing reconstructive surgeries at no cost. Patients suffering from severe burn deformities, accident injuries, tumours, and other complex medical conditions are receiving care that would otherwise be unaffordable. Tattoo-related procedures are excluded, with public notices clarifying this ahead of the camp.

 

For many, the camp is a lifeline. Iftikhar, a young man from Bijnor, has undergone staged surgeries over five years following severe burns in an electrical accident. “The doctors may be from Germany, but they understand my pain,” he says. “Akums and Rotary International have given me a second chance at life.” With 70% recovery, he can now stand straight—something he thought he had lost forever.

 

Archana Jain, Secretary of Akums Health & Educational Society, emphasized the long-standing impact of the initiative. “Each year, around 150 to 200 patients receive free treatment. Beyond surgery, it’s the dignity and compassion shown that truly matters to them,” she said. Rotary women volunteers assist throughout, bridging language gaps and ensuring smooth patient care.

 

Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital has been pivotal, providing both infrastructure and local medical support. Meanwhile, Interplast Germany’s 12-member team has been dedicatedly working alongside Akums doctors, reflecting a model of humanitarian collaboration that transcends borders.

 

Now in its 14th year, the camp continues to grow in scale and reach. Improved facilities, efficient coordination, and the unwavering commitment of volunteers ensure that more lives are transformed every year.

 

As patients leave with renewed hope and restored confidence, the camp stands as a testament to what compassionate, collaborative healthcare can achieve.