Tackling a complex intersection of paediatric undernutrition and rising adult metabolic disorders, clinicians are bringing critical healthcare directly to Kerala’s highland communities.

Against the backdrop of the Western Ghats’ rugged topography, a specialised medical and nutritional team from the Amrita Kripa Charitable Hospital (AKCH) conducted an intensive outreach clinic on 9 September, targeting the isolated tribal settlements of Edaguni and Meenangadi.

The geography of Wayanad, characterised by dense forest cover, undulating terrain, and remote Adivasi enclaves, routinely acts as a structural barrier to primary healthcare. Compounding this geographical isolation is a unique regional health crisis. Wayanad’s indigenous communities are currently grappling with a severe “double burden” of disease: historically high rates of endemic paediatric malnutrition existing alongside a sharp, modern surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as type-2 diabetes and hypertension. This shift is largely attributed to the displacement of traditional, nutrient-dense forest diets by carbohydrate-heavy rations.

To address these intersecting crises, the mobile clinic was led by Dr Keerthana, working alongside Ms Aarabhi Ajith and Ms Devika V. M., postgraduate clinical nutrition interns from the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Kochi.

The intervention operated across two primary fronts, beginning at the grassroots level of the Mannath Colony Anganwadi (rural child care centre) near Meenangadi. Here, the clinical team assessed local patients, conducting targeted screenings for weight fluctuations and blood glucose levels (GRBS) to identify undiagnosed metabolic conditions.

The medical convoy subsequently navigated to the Edaguni colony, where the focus broadened to encompass family-wide preventative care. For the adult population, the team monitored blood pressure and weight, vital metrics in a region where silent hypertension is increasingly endemic.

Crucially, the team also conducted rigorous paediatric assessments. Children attending the camp were screened using Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements, alongside height and weight tracking. All clinical and anthropometric findings were meticulously recorded into a database to ensure continuous follow-up and longitudinal care for high-risk individuals.

Recognising that clinical diagnoses must be met with practical lifestyle solutions, the camp placed a heavy emphasis on dietary rehabilitation. The clinical dietitians provided one-on-one dietary counselling to diabetic patients, translating complex metabolic needs into culturally appropriate, affordable dietary modifications tailored to the realities of tribal household kitchens.

This initiative by Amrita Kripa Charitable Hospital underscores a growing consensus in rural public health: effectively treating vulnerable populations requires moving beyond hospital walls and navigating the very terrain that isolates them.