Mary Weaver's Medical Mission to India
AIPNO (Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio-USA) plans and recruits Rotarians, spouses, volunteers with/without medical backgrounds to participate in a February medical mission trip and to donate funds to help cover costs of medicines, supplies, etc.
This trip was the 13th February trip made by this group. Each year the event is held in a different location in India. This year the trip was located in West Bengal, India (south of Delhi and north of Kolkata).
Our mission (Yatra or pilgrimage) was to provide medical care to 6 villages in India's West Bengal area. We flew into Kolkata then had a 4 ½ hr. bus ride through the countryside to Santiniketan Lodge where we inventoried medicines and prepared for clinic & camp #1.
#1 Theism Clinic at Bolpur & Camp at Dwaronda
#2 Theism Clinic at Bolpur & Camp at Kasiara
#3 Theism Clinic at Bolpur & Camp at Mirjapur
#4 Theism Clinic at Bolpur & Camp at Supur
#5 Camp at Dharmarajtals & Camp at Rintala Danga
#6 Camp at Santipur Minicipality (a 2 day camp)
My assignment was to assist pediatrician Dr. Murthy Vuppala. I organized meds, made children and parents happy (coloring with crayons, blowing bubbles, drawing stick figures), provided crowd control; gave fluoride treatments to every child; packed/unpacked the pharmacy each day.
Children had malnutrition, poor teeth, delayed mental & physical development, worms, coughs, skin rashes and no cure brain damage from birth. Dr. Vupppala would explain to the parents of the brain damaged child that there was “no cure, no treatment, no doctors or expense” that could correct the brain damage. Parents were not happy with his message as they all felt that the American doctor had the cure.
I went on this mission trip since my bucket list included service to a 3rd world country. My trip of choice had to involve no terrorist, no extreme physical requirements since I am 72 years old and I wanted to participate with a group who had with a clear service mission. This trip met my requirements. I learned about this trip at a December 2012 Akron Rotary presentation; I just happen to sit next to the group’s leader at this December Rotary lunch meeting.
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My best,
MAW
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