Over 175 doctors took part in medical camps organised by the Nationalist Congress Party's doctors cell in flood-affected western Maharashtra and Konkan, the party said in Mumbai on 23rd August.

Around 60,000 patients in Kolhapur, Sangli and Sindhudurg districts benefited from these camps, it added. The initiative by the doctors cell and NCP Welfare Trust was undertaken on party chief Sharad Pawar's instructions, it said. A total of 133 medical camps were held, it added.

Dr Narendra Kale, state chief of doctors cell, observed during his stay in flood-affected areas that many people suffered from skin diseases caused by contact with floodwater, besides fever and cold. The number of leptospirosis patients may increase in coming days, Kale noted. The cell is distributing pamphlets to create awareness about how to prevent the bacterial disease, he said. The government should make available adequate stock of medicines in the affected region, he demanded.