SERVICE TO HUMANITY
MEDICAL SERVICE BEYOND BORDERS
Inter Continental Medicare Team (In East Africa)
Dr.Rajan led a team of expert doctors to the African country of Uganda in 2002 for a project involving treatment of medical and surgical problems in the community and also training of the local medical faculty.
Dr.Rajan had a great opportunity to lead a team of 11 south Indian doctors to Uganda, East
Africa through the International medical team. The project was conducted in the form of health camps which were held in remote places of Uganda namely Kalisizo, Nkozi, Kamuli – Lganga and Villa-Maria. A total of 3956 poor people were examined at the camps; 296 patients at the Lganga German Hospital and 532 patients in the Masaka referral hospital were operated upon by the surgeons in the team. A total of 800 odd surgeries were performed by the team – 79 ENT surgeries, 121 orthopedic surgeries, 93 Eye operations and 538 Dental surgeries. Dr.Rajan was the pediatrician in charge and examined around 500 pediatric
patients in the camps and was also responsible for the post-operative care of operated patients.
Training of local doctors: Apart from operative procedures, the team trained the local doctors regarding the newer techniques and procedural aspects. The team donated instruments worth 8 lakh rupees including ophthalmic microscope.
Shri Deepak Ray, the High Commission of India to Uganda had a high praise for Dr.Rajan and his team. The Health Minister of Republic of Uganda greatly appreciated the service and asked to convey many thanks to Rotary International and India.
The Success Stories
a) School Teacher gets lease of life –
Kasoma, a 39-year old school teacher in the outskirts of Kampala had a tumor in the spinal cord and he was paralytic with the pressure of the tumor on the cord. The complicated surgery to remove the tumor was not available in Uganda, required expertise and was expensive (30,000 US $ in South Africa & 10,000 £ in UK) thus making treatment inaccessible for the teacher. Kasoma was invited to India for treatment; he landed on 18th July 2004 and was brought to Dharwad soon after. The complicated surgery was performed free of cost and with much success. Kasoma was well looked after and he went back home healthy and without spending his hard-earned money. This philanthropic initiative by Dr.Rajan and his team elevated the image of doctors from India.
b) Student with congenital heart disease gets lease of life –
Raymond Kore, an 11 year old child with congenital heart disease did not have access to treatment in Uganda After contacting the chairman of KLE University, Belgaum, India, Dr.Prabhakar Kore; Raymond was brought to India and operated free of cost. He was cured and this child went back home a flying little bird. Parents of the child were extremely happy and grateful to Dr.Rajan and his team for the whole arrangement.
The outcome of the camp was:
• A lease of life to a student and a teacher
• Great impression of Indian doctors and their efforts to work with minimum facilities
• Visit of two important patients who could not be operated in Uganda to India for treatment.
INTER CONTINENTAL MEDICARE PROJECT AT UGANDA -2002 :
Greeting Deepak Ray – High Commissioner of India to Uganda, at Kampala
Dr. Rajan explaining the project to Brigedier Jim Muhweizi
Union Health Minister of Republic of Uganda.
Poverty in Uganda is to be seen than believed.
With parents and child infront of their small house
Children with cleft lip and palate with parents in Masaka, Uganda.
This was a journey of 11 members team. Team of senior competent Rotarian Doctors to Uganda (East Africa). Infact a sojourn which gave immense satisfaction.
GETTING SERVED BEYOND BORDERS
Kasoma: A school teacher from Kampala – with tumor in spinal chord (upper part of neck, adjoining brain)