10th SAI Health Fair-Yet another Winner!
The 10th SAI Health Fair sponsored by International Ministeries 2000 Church, Fulton County was held at the International Ministries 2000 Church on Saturday, April 8. The Health Fair, spearheaded by well-known Macon-Atlanta physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy was organized to promote Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King's philosophies of Non-violence, community service and social justice.
Despite the thunderstorms and heavy rains, over 180 people of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests services provided by 24 physicians representing 12 specialties who attended to the health concerns of the people after they registered for blood tests, EKG's, glaucoma screening, diabetic testing and nutritional education. Many individuals including the elderly and disabled lined-up as early as 6:45 am to get tested. It is noteworthy that the results of the blood work were mailed within 48 hours! The test results helped identify several life threatening situations which were immediately notified to the persons concerned.
Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Co. arranged for the complimentary continental breakfast and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co., arranged for the boxed lunches for all the participants. It was heartening to see eleven Medical students from Emory University, who were volunteering at the Health Fair as part of their community service. Of the eleven students, five were first year students and six were second year students. He thanked Dr. Reddy for providing them with an incredible opportunity to use their education to help those who did not have access to health care. They met some patients who had not been to a physician for years. Their main focus at the Health Fair was patient education. He complimented Dr. Reddy for shouldering a huge responsibility and for her outreach efforts in the medical field. He concluded by saying that he hoped to be part of it next time round.
The ever ebullient Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked the Pastor Delores Williams for providing the Church to stage the Health Fair and R.C.Patel for providing accommodation at Comfort Inn for out-of-town nurses. She also thanked Eli Lilly, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Cos. sponsors, the physicians, nurses, Emory University students and dedicated volunteers who together helped make the Health Fair a big success. The mission of the SAI Health Fairs is to create awareness about the importance of preventive health care among the public. "Cure the patient today and protect the community tomorrow. Too often we hear of illnesses that could have been prevented if it had been detected earlier" she said. Restless and driven, Dr. Reddy has perceived the acute need for such Health Fairs, and is striving relentlessly to contribute all she can. Never to rest on her laurels, she is already planning the 11th SAI Health Fair in a couple of months.
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ by Mahadev Desai
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
