BY MAHADEV DESAI

A Despite cold and rainy weather, thanks to the rising popularity of SAI Health Fairs, the SAI and Hearts Health Fair, held at the Hearts to Nourish Hope Inc.premises, Riverdale Georgia, on Saturday, March 28, 2009 elicited a huge response. The Health Fair, was, as always, spearheaded by well-known physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy and was organized as a tribute to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and also to promote his and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophies of Non-violence, community service and Social justice. 

On the rainy Saturday morning, over 200 people of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests services provided by 30 dedicated physicians representing 16 specialties, 14 nurses and technicians and over 35 service-oriented volunteers who attended to the various health related concerns of the people after they registered for blood tests, free EKGs; free glaucoma screenings; audiogram- hearing screenings, preventive Cardiology tests, free Bone Density tests to detect osteoporosis and Free Consultancy in, dermatology, endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pediatrics, Podiatry, ENT, gastroenterology, urology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, dentistry, and physical therapy, chronic pain,Vascular Surgery, and Psychiatry. 

Many including elderly and disabled people lined-up as early as 7.45 a.m.The spacious and well- lighted hall and rooms at the venue had neatly laid out tables, where over 85 EKGs were provided by Southern Heart Specialists ,Riverdale, Georgia for males, and Commerce Cardiology Group, Commerce, Georgia for females. Three Fellows- Emory University School of Medicine carried out over 35 the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment tests. Over 25 audio screening(hearing tests) were conducted by Dr.Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Girish Enterprises, from Auburn, Alabama, many of which showed abnormal hearing problems.. Over 75 Glaucoma screening and vision tests were done by Dr. Indira Menon from the Eye physicians and surgeons, Decatur, Georgia and Dr.Ajit Nemi from Lotus Vision, Alpharetta... Bone Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand About 70 plus bone-density tests were performed by.Madhusudhana Siddagunta, Roger Allen and Elizabeth Allen and AMScan Radiology Associates, Conyers,Georgia. Blood tests too were in big demand. Over 175 cost –effective, basic quality comprehensive Chemistry profile of blood tests with PSA, HBA1c, and were carried out at a nominal fee of $15 per test. The lab work was provided by Medical Center of Central Georgia Lab., Macon. It is noteworthy that the 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. Education and advice on diabetes,smoking and exercise was provided by Keith Spencer of Georgia Medical Care Foundation, while Dr.Rohini Reddy gave helpful hints on stress management. Liberty Medical kindly gave out free Glucometers ,after demonstration, to the participants.. Neil Heim and Galen Hurl from ‘Discover Chiropractice’ at Stockbridge,Georgia too kept busy throughout.. 

Mohan Reddy arranged for the complimentary breakfast for participants, doctors, nurses and volunteers whereas delicious lunch for all the doctors, nurses, health care professionals and volunteers, was provided by Sean Sims and Larry Jones from the Bridge bistro, Alpharetta. SAI Health Fair publicity and coverage was carried by Khabar magazine; India Abroad, Little India, nripulse.com, and Atlantadunia.com. In addition, Presidents of several local Associations also helped to notify their members about the Health Fair. Digital video and Photography services were provided by Mahadev Desai. 

Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked Deborah Anglin and staff of Heart to Nourish Hope Community Center for their generosity in providing the accommodation and help to stage the Health Fair and (USHA) for lodging at Sleep Inn and suites,Riverdale for out of town nurses and Jacqueline M.Wright for providing dinner on Friday, for out-of-town nurses She further thanked supporting sponsors; the team of physicians, nurses, students and dedicated volunteers who together helped make the Health Fair a big success. The mission of the SAI Health Fairs is to create an awareness of the importance of preventive health care among the public-detection, prevention and cure. “Cure the patient today and protect the community tomorrow. Too often we hear of illness that could have been prevented if it had been detected earlier” is its guiding motto. 

SAI Health Fairs are shining beacons of outreach of medical services and vehicles of social service and welfare for the disabled, aged, needy and neglected in the society. Inspired by Dr.Reddy’s compassion, dedication and commitment, many selfless physicians, Health Care professionals, volunteers, Community and Faith-based organizations have joined their hands in successfully staging these Health Fairs. Most of the physicians, nurses and volunteers on her team have been participating over and over again. Dr.Shanthi Sitaraman,of Emory University, Research Department, lauded Dr.Sujatha Reddy,saying,” Dear Sujatha- Thank you very much for organizing the clinic and inviting me- I feel like a human being when I do this clinic. You are such a selfless person and so dedicated to humanity”.

In her laudatory comments, Executive Director, Hearts to Nourish Hope Inc. Deborah Anglin said, “The Health Fair at Hearts to Nourish Hope on March 28th was a huge success for the Clayton County community! This Health fair in collaboration with Sai Health Fairs was attended by 200 plus community members. Blood work ups, EKGs bone density testing, fitness check ups, and a variety of medical specialists were on hand through out the day to offer health services and diagnostic services. Even with the bad weather the turn out was great. This program was sponsored by the Hearts of Clayton After School Program hosted at North Clayton High School. The youth in this program wanted to assist the community in becoming healthier. Everyone learned a lot and will be able to make positive changes in their lives regarding their health. Thanks to all of the medical professionals that participated and the community for their participation.”

Restless and driven, self-effacing Dr. Reddy is a living proof that even one person can make a difference. She has perceived the acute need for such Health Fairs, in view of the rising numbers of people without health insurance and is striving relentlessly to contribute all she can in meeting the immense need in current phase of economic downturn.She is already planning for three more Health Fairs this year!