Voluntary Work 2010: Lalit Nirmal

It was in January 2001 when a devastating earthquake rocked the State of Kutch killing thousands of people and injuring many more. This I thought was a very good opportunity for me to go there and help the needy people. On the inspiration of my religious leader, HDH Pramukh Swami, I volunteered to go to Bhuj and help people affected during the earthquake. My first experience was so full feeling that I have been going every year to do some voluntary medical work in India. Tsunami gave me another opportunity.

This year I was lucky that, I was accepted in a medical camp organised by the Bidada Sarvodya Trust in Kutch. (http://www.bidada.org/) This was their 36th eye medical surgical camp from 31 Dec 2009 to 21 Jan 2010. I was most impressed with the immaculate faultless administration of the organisation. Another member of JDA Dr Bhanu Pattani had also joined the camp.

Shree Bidada Sarvodaya Trust is a charitable non-profit organisation.The organisation is committed to render medical and surgical treatment to patients of all ages, caste & race. The trust is well known for the medical camp it organises every January in village Bidada, Kutch, India. At the January, camp patients from over 1200 villages receive consultation Around 120 doctors and volunteers from the US as well as 200 from Mumbai treat more than 20,000 patients during this camp. In the outpatient, there is more then 20 medical and surgical specialist consultation available.

For those cases that require treatment in cities like Mumbai free arrangements are being made by the trust for them to be treated.

It was encouraging to see about 20 youth who came from USA and stayed there for nearly 4-weeks.This time the youth team had concentrated on prevention of smoking and chewing tobacco. The team was lead by a young doctor from USA. The dedication shown by them was exemplary.

Unfortunately, due to family bereavement, I could not stay throughout out the camp but I have nothing but praises for the he team of doctors and paramedics who come here year after year to help the needy people who cannot afford the medical treatment themselves.

The second opportunity that I had was to attend a medical camp in Poshida in Khedbrahama Gujarat organised by BAPS Charities (http://www.bapscharities.org/)in association with Medical Wings International (http://www.medicalwings.org/ ) Founded by Glenda Johnson, a American Airlines employee of 25 years, Medical Wings continues to expand into all areas of medical support. Through her travels, Ms. Johnson saw the dire need of people who suffered daily without access to the most basic health-care. She found children to be most at risk, succumbing to diseases and health issues that had long been controlled or eradicated in the Western world.

Glenda of Medical Wings International had brought with her a team of highly qualified and dedicated team of doctors, nurses and paramedics

From 16 to 18 January 2010, BAPS Charities and Medical Wings International joined efforts to organize a free medical and eye-care clinic for the tribal citizen of Poshina and Khedbrahma. Located 150 km from Ahmedabad, the town of Poshina is a market and trade centre serving over 300 tribal villages. For 15 days, BAPS volunteers travelled the villages to announce the upcoming camp. Setting up the camp in such a remote area was a challenging task, yet 50 BAPS volunteers were able to convert the local Poshina Referral Medical Clinic into a comprehensive medical checkups centre suitable for the clinic.

A total of 16 doctors – 3 from the USA, 3 from the United Kingdom, and 10 from India – served over 2,700 tribal villagers during the three-day camp. Villagers received general medical, paediatric and skin care. Also, wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches were given to disabled villagers, while over 300 pairs of high-quality shoes and slippers were given to children in need. Around 550 villagers received detailed eye testing, of which 450 villagers were given new pairs of glasses to correct vision disorders.

Each patient was also counselled in hygiene awareness and an anti-addiction exhibition was set up to educate villagers on the ill effects of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. Young mothers were offered tips on raising healthy children within the constraints of their limited daily medical and dietary facilities.

The volunteer medical staff from America had an inspiring experience in India. Bethany McKittrick (Optometrist, Denver, CO) said, “We are happy to have the opportunity to serve the people of India and see your beautiful country.”

They were also pleased with the service and aid provided by BAPS volunteers. Glenda Johnson, Executive Director of Medical Wings International, commented, “We graciously appreciate how wonderful our first mission to the Poshina community was. Please know we will be back. My heartfelt gratitude to BAPS”. Jamal K. Gwathney (MD, MPH, and Washington D.C.) said, “Excellent hospitality from the BAPS staff… very professional and welcoming at the same time.” Kate Garvey (Registered Nurse, San Francisco, CA) commended the volunteers’ efforts, saying it was “invaluable – always kind, pleasant, and patient.”

The collaborative efforts of Medical Wings International and BAPS made a strong impact on the lives of the Poshina villagers as well. Both life-changing and life-saving treatments were given. Bharat Ramabhai Darji, who was given a wheelchair said, “My life will be greatly improved by this gift. I can now move freely within my home and give more support in the care of my family.” Vijaybhai Gamar had a serious cough for months but never saw a doctor. When he arrived at the camp he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given proper treatment. Without the camp, his illness could have turned fatal.

The camp was another step in the ongoing efforts by BAPS to raise the health awareness of such tribal areas. For the past 25 years, BAPS sadhus and volunteers have supported the medical, educational, and family needs of thousands of local tribal citizens.

My next project later on in this year is for a small village called Mojidad near Limbadi. Though they have been given computers, they do not have a classroom for that. It is my intention to build them a decent classroom so that they can start using the computers. Dr V C Patel and Dr Atul Kshatri have already donated £1000 each. I am still looking for some more funds.

It is my humble request to our members to come forward and donate whatever little money towards this cause.

We have many doctors in JDA who have retired now. It would be a nice idea if we gad to have a register of those who are willing to do some voluntary work in remote villages. With a healthy looking register, we can join hands with some local charities.

Photographs