West Bengal July Seva Updates
Outreach Health Initiatives
Sri Sathya Sai Aarogya Vahini
Sri Sathya Sai Aarogya Vahini realised the need of the hour to strengthen the Outreach Health Initiatives with both Medicinal and Nutritional Supplements to boost immunity in the communities to combat the current pandemic, in particular, for the victims of the West Bengal Amphan Cyclone.
Well calculated clinically guided approach to offer nutritionally well balanced supplements were planned and executed in coastal belts of West Bengal.
Speciality Outreach Camps were held specifically for women and children. Consultations were offered to 420 patients which included 114 women and children in 10 locations of West Bengal spreading across the districts of Howrah, South 24 Parganas, and South Nadia.
Telemedicine was done for patients in the areas of Kaliara and Birendra Nagar in the District of Hooghly.
While children were screened with a Cardiac Stethoscope, a mass awareness, using digital tools, was made at the waiting area regarding Life Style Management during the current pandemic which demands more hygienic ways of living, regular hand washing, use of masks and ensuring physical distancing.
Along with medicines, efforts were made to help communities understand how food supplements that are rich in proteins and vitamins are of immense importance, while focussing mainly on the items which are economical and readily available!
A well-equipped pharmacy is supported by Sri Sathya Sai Aarogya Vahini Trust providing prescriptions from the clinician, post counselling.
Each mother, with her child, walked along the Nutrient Boost Bay to collect protein and vitamin rich supplements in moong dal, matar dal, rajma, groundnuts, satto, soya bean, milk powder, bananas and guavas. A pack of sanitary napkins were provided for the mother as well.
There is enough evidence to prove that a good admixture of foods from various food groups such as cereal grains, dals, nuts, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, milk and milk products adjusted with a bare minimum of eight to ten glasses of water is essential for a normal individual. For growing children, the concept of a balanced nutritional support is indispensable for their overall development which also includes their immunity. The Aarogya Vahini team is focussed on bringing about a difference in the communities with its clinical approach in the remotest parts of West Bengal.
In continued support of monthly groceries and essential supplies to the students who are offered breakfast everyday throughout the year, the Aarogya Vahini team was humbled with the initiatives of the teachers of the school who have come forward and joined hands in this sacred act of taking care of the students as their own family in these trying times!
Participation in the Hope 2020 Virtual Concert of North American Bengali Conference organised by Cultural Association Bengal, USA:
The work of the team particularly on the Amphan Cyclone Relief amid COVID-19 crisis was featured in the live, online Concert which was focussed on strengthening the support for the Amphan Relief Activities for the State of West Bengal. Eminent artists from India supported the initiative which was organised for three days from the July 3 to 5, 2020.
Aarogya Vahini Trust received Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award of Excellence:
During the event, while paying tribute to the former President of India, Bharat Ratna and Missile Man of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his 5th Anniversary on July 27, 2020, Mr. Subhajit Roy Mukherjee who founded the Aarogya Vahini Trust to create access for quality, free-of-cost healthcare through Fabricated Mobile Medical Units equipped with portable innovative medical tools for rural India, received the "Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award of Excellence" from Shri. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Honorable Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India.
The event was woven beautifully with mesmerising performances by Mandolin U. Rajesh and his team along with Presentations of Contributions towards Nation Building from Stalwarts across the globe.
Padma Bhushan, Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, the father of BrahMos missile project and Dr. Arjun Malhotra, Co-Founder of the MNC giant HCL were amongst the Guests of Honour speaking during the event.
Dr. Sundar Kamath, on behalf of Science for Society, spoke about their project of building 1,000 ideal villages by 2025; Sri Suresh Kamath, who has employed specially-abled people; Dr. Sunny Anand, representing the Heart-to-Heart foundation, also spoke about how their network of Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals were running free-of-cost, performing paediatric cardiac surgeries.
Ms. Priyadarshini Rahul representing the e-magazine PreSense; Sansad Ratna Awards and Next Gen Political leaders, Mr. Jayadev Chandrasekhar representing the 'Each One Educate One' Foundation that helps provide free and high quality education to thousands of children from under privileged background; Mr. Natarajan Raman, who founded Dream India, a not-for-profit organisation that has helped more than one lakh children through coaching, scholarships and Mr. Anand Kadali spoke about the Annapoorna Programme’s fight against malnutrition and hunger among children.
The Aarogya Vahini Trust received the award for their Contribution towards National Building for their dedicated efforts in offering Primary Healthcare Services in rural communities with special mention of the Cyclone Amphan Relief Initiatives in the State of West Bengal India, amid COVID-19 pandemic.
