BY MAHADEV DESAI
Pic by Ritesh Patel

The 23rd SAI Health Fair, held at the Sardar Patel Bhavan Hall, Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta, Tucker, Georgia, on Saturday, October 10, 2009 elicited a huge response. The Health Fair, as always, was spearheaded by well-known physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy as a tribute to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi on his 140th birthday and also to promote his and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophies of Non-violence, community selfless service and Social justice. The event was sponsored by the Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta in collaboration with the Gandhi Foundation of USA, Sneham Charity Organization, BAPS Charities, Patel Bros, Global Mall and Khabar Inc. 

Over 400 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 18 specialties, 16 nurses and EKG technicians and over 50 service-oriented volunteers including from Georgia State University, Emory Medical School and UGA,Athens College of Pharmacy who attended to the various health related concerns of the people after they registered for blood tests, free EKGs; free glaucoma screenings; preventive Cardiology tests, free Bone Density tests to detect osteoporosis and free Consultancy in, dermatology, orthopedics, dentistry; endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, urology, ophthalmology, pulmonary medicine, chiropractic medicine ,physical therapy, chronic pain, Gynecology, and Physical Rehab Medicine.

Many, including elderly and disabled people, lined-up as early as 6.30 a.m. The spacious and well- lighted hall had neatly laid out tables, where over 300 EKGs (male and female) were carried out, by Southern Heart Specialists, Riverdale, Georgia and Dr.Sreeni Gangasani, Cardiovascular Group,PC,Lawrenceville, and Dr.Kakkar Aman, Heart and Vascular Care,Cumming,Georgia. Dr.Shalini Reddy and Dr.Sesi Reddy, together with medical students from Emory, carried out over 200 cardiovascular Risk Assessment tests, and also provided education and advice on, anti-smoking and nutrition, while Melanie Cassity, RN of Athens Regional Medical Center gave information and advice on diabetes. Over 150 vision and Glaucoma screening tests,(40 abnormal) were done by Dr. Indira Menon from the Eye physicians and surgeons, Decatur, Georgia . Bone Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand Over 50 (abnormal 24) bone-density tests, under the supervision of Dr.Sujatha Reddy were performed by Madhusudhana Siddagunta and Vijaya Reddy. Majority of the attendees wanted Blood tests. Over 340 cost –effective, basic quality comprehensive Chemistry profile of blood tests with PSA, and HBA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $20 per test. The lab work was provided by the 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. 

Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta arranged for the complimentary breakfast and lunch for participants, doctors, nurses and volunteers. SAI Health Fair publicity and coverage was carried by Khabar magazine; India Abroad, NRI Pulse Newspaper, wownow.com;Kavitachhibber.com and Atlantadunia.com. In addition, presidents of several local Associations also helped to notify their members about the Health Fair. 

Commenting about his research studies, Professor of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Arshed Quyyumi, said, 
“People attending the health fair were consented to participate in a study being conducted at Emory University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology. The study is designed to discover novel genetic and blood biomarkers of increased risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases including high blood pressure and diabetes in South Asians. Blood samples were collected and stored for subsequent analysis of DNA for discovery of genetic risk factors. In addition, subjects underwent testing of arterial stiffness that measures early abnormalities of blood vessels. Abnormal arterial stiffness may be present even before any conditions such as hypertension or heart disease become evident. These results were explained to the participating subjects. Fifteen physicians, researchers, students and volunteers from Emory helped conduct this study and a total of 100 men and women participated in this study.” 

In his appreciatory comments,Antony Thaliath,the Executive Director of Gandhi Foundation of USA said,” It was indeed a very pleasant sight to see people coming in big numbers from early morning to the Sai Health Fair at the Sardar Bhavan organized by The Gujarati Samaj and co-sponsored by The Gandhi Foundation of USA. Dr.Sujatha Reddy did a marvelous job and showed again her dedication to serve the community through bringing free heath care to those who need help badly, especially in the present time of economic difficulties. Several doctors from many specialties were able to provide a wide range of services to hundreds of these attendees free of cost. This is a befitting service by these doctors, nurses and volunteers, including those from GFUSA, who served in celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 140th birthday, fulfilling the Foundation's mission. It was a very rewarding experience for me and my wife Lizy and Dr. Thrivikraman who represented GFUSA to participate in this Health Fair. GFUSA greatly appreciates the opportunity to be a co-sponsor of this humanitarian outreach service along with Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta and others.

Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked Gujarati Samaj president Vipul Patel, vice president Sunil Patel, Board of Directors and GS Health Fair lead Dr. Dipak Patel for providing the accommodation and help in staging the Health Fair; for providing lodging for out of town nurses at Drury Inn and suites and also for providing dinner for them on Friday. 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, and needy and neglected in the society. Inspired by Dr.Sujatha 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. 

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.