Over 300 Treated at 28th Sai Health Fair
One of the busy areas at the 28th Sai Health Fair.(Photos: Mahadev Desai)
Over 300 people attended the 28th SAI Health Fair, held at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia, on Saturday, April 14. The Health Fair, as always, was spearheaded by well-known physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy as a tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi and to promote their philosophies of nonviolence, community selfless service, and social justice. The event was supported by Muthalamada Sneham Charities, physicians, healthcare professionals, and volunteers.
People of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and test services provided by over 30 dedicated physicians representing 13 specialties, 6 phlebotomists, and over 35 service-oriented volunteers. Some blood tests were provided for a nominal fee, but most were free: EKGs, glaucoma and vision screenings, preventive cardiology tests, bone density tests, and consultations in, dermatology, orthopedics, dentistry, family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, psychiatry, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, chronic pain, gynecology, and physical rehab medicine.
Photo: Many of the dedicated physicians and volunteers.
Many people, including elderly and disabled, lined up as early as 7 am. The space was comfortable, and staff treated all with cheerfulness, courtesy, and dignity and in a relaxed manner.
Most attendees wanted blood tests. Over 230 comprehensive chemistry profiles with PSA and HBA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $25 per test. Lab work was provided by American Clinical Labs of Stone Mountain. Results of the blood work were mailed within 48 hours! The test results helped identify some life threatening results which were immediately notified to the participants.
Over 149 EKGs were carried out by Southern Heart Specialists, Riverdale, Georgia and Commerce Cardiology Group of Commerce, GA. 45 audio screenings were done by Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy. More than 40 bone density tests were performed by a team of Madhusudhana Siddagunta, Dr. Haritha Katam, and Mrs. Uma Ponangi. Out of forty, twenty seven were found to be abnormal!
Photo: Emory University’s Dr. Megan Scott with her Sight Savers team.
Over 58 vision and glaucoma screening tests were done by Dr. Megan Scott and her staff from Emory University. Dr. Scott said, “The health fair was a wonderful opportunity for those of us in the Student Sight Savers program. The staff and patients were all extremely kind, patient, and grateful. We could not have expected a more successful event and look forward to participating in the SAI health fair in the future. ”
Photo: Mercer University’s Lindsay Malphrus, Denise Ross, Lauren Puls, and Marjorie Sen.
Marjorie Sen, Mercer University’s student GenerationRx Committee chair and Rho Chi honor society member, had brought fellow pharmacy students. “We helped with taking blood pressure and performing triage as well as educating patients about medication safety, smoking cessation, nutrition, proper antibiotic use. We also answered patients’ questions about their diabetes, allergy, etc. ...[T]he health fair... was very well organized and very comprehensive. I like how patients were followed through, from the lab values to the follow-up with medical professionals who could help them interpret their results and see what was needed. This made for great patient care. It was my favorite health fair this year!”And Lindsay Malphrus noted, “The experience has been really rewarding. It is an opportunity to incorporate a lot of our drug knowledge and therapeutic knowledge and apply it to the patients here .... We appreciate the opportunity to integrate that knowledge and interact with the community.”
Charter Anchor Hospital, Forest Park kindly provided attendees with fruit trays, water bottles, cookies and fruit juice, while Sai Health Fair arranged lunch for doctors, nurses, and volunteers.
Too often you hear someone say, “If only we had known, all of this could have been prevented.” SAI Health Fairs reach out to the disabled, aged, needy, and neglected, and create awareness of the importance of preventive health care among the public for detection, prevention, and cure.
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