Health checks are easy for people living in the cities. But, many elderly people in mountainous villages of China have never had health checks in their lives.
Doctors at a health-center in Sanqiao township in Guizhou province have finally started to visit this neglected population. But getting to them is no easy matter.
Jielong village is far from the township center. Cars can only go half of the way. To the left, there is no road at all and the doctors have to carry their equipment on foot. This is the third year Dr Cheng Xu has done this.
"This is just one of the remote villages here. But we do walk for quite a long time. I’m carrying the heaviest equipment, about 30 kilograms." Cheng Xu, Doctor in Sanqiao Township said.
On the way, one of the doctors feels unwell after drinking too fast during the long walk.
"I have stomach problems. But I feel better now. This journey is really very long and tiring. It’s the first time I’ve walked for such a long time. " Liang Jianmei, Doctor in Sanqiao Township said.
Two hours later, they finally arrive in the village. And they quickly start checking the old people.
25 people have physical check-ups here, aged from 30 to over 65 years. Most of them are healthy. Some have high blood pressure. The doctors have told them how to take care of themselves and they’re all grateful.
"I am willing to have physical check. Our government is so great that we believe in it. And we are cared about so much." Shao Zhaobi, Villager inJielong Village said.
After finishing the work here, doctors go to other two areas of Jielong village. But, the last stop is a special family, where three elderly people live by themselves. The eldest is 101 and he has difficulty walking by himself. It’s 8 o’clock in the evening when the work is finished.
The head of Sanqiao township health-center says they started to do annual physical checks for the elderly in 2010. This year, they are trying to provide the service for all the 3,346 people who are over 65 in the towship. They started in April. Difficulty of access means it will take 23 more days to finish the work.