The joining of Dr. Sampath Kumar as Residential Medical Officer (RMO) in June was a boost to the Hospital. The number of patients coming to the OP of the Hospital was around 3000 a month, on an average. There was an increase in the number of in-patients, with more than 600 in-patients being treated this year. Out of this, more than half were given treatment free of cost. Free treatment under RSBY Insurance Scheme is being provided for the last two years. A team of doctors from the reputed Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Coimbatore visits the Hospitals on all Saturdays for Ayurveda OP. A total of 15 to 25 patients attend the Ayurveda OP every week, to get treatment from Dr.Parthasarathy and Dr.Rajeev. Free treatment is provided to poor patients. The Hospital also roped in the services of expert doctors, Dr.Gopal (General Physician ,Vijaya Hospital, Palakkad),Dr.Suresh(General Physician, Mannarkad), Dr.Ajithkumar(Chest Physician, Thrissur), Dr.Rajesh Iyer (Neurologist, Coimbatore), Dr.Sreeram(Cardiologist, Perinthalmanna) and Dr.Seetharaman (Dental Surgeon, Coimbatore) for speciality camps. The hospital also enlisted the services of visiting doctors including Dr.P.Raman,(Prof of dermatology), whose visits were held during most of the months. Our antenatal and Gynaec OP was conducted by Dr.N.Lalitha and later by Dr.Vaishnavi. Dr.Karthikeyan from Coimbatore has been visiting for weekly ultrasound scanning.
Thanks to philanthropic donations from Cognizant Foundation, Chennai, which donated a Wipro GE P3 Ultrasound scanning machine, scanning services were extended to 269 patients this year. Out of these 269 patients, 31 were given free scanning and about one third of the rest were given services at subsidized rates. Other donations have been pouring in with students and staff of Gitanjali school, Coimbatore donating an Electrophoresis machine used for the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anemia. Students from Chinmaya Mission School, Thrissur donated a Colorimeter for doing biochemical tests. Students from Bhavan’s Varunavidyalaya ,Kochi donated a gynaec examination table, focus lamp, Stand model BP apparatus and step stools.
The mobile medical unit was again active from June and conducted 19 camps including tribal hamlets like Paloor treating around 800 patients. As part of addressing the health issues of tribals, a sickle cell anemia programme was kicked off last year (2010). The programme is sustained by the monthly contributions from students of Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara, Kochi. About 25 patients are receiving treatment including medical check up, counselling, folic acid and Hydroxy urea tablets for a month. Most of the patients are children. Some of the patients were admitted for treating pain attacks. More patients are expected to benefit from this programme once a Sickle Cell Disease Care Centre is inaugurated in 26th January 2012.
The Community Mental Health Programme (CMHP), the comprehensive plan to promote positive mental health among tribes with an aim of reducing suicides and alcohol dependence, progressed with a lot of activities in 2011. About 75 patients with severe mental disorders were taken under the programme for treatment, out of which about 50 are on regular follow up. The happy news is that a good number of them have got relief from their symptoms and is now leading a normal life. About 20 patients showing anxiety disorder, depression etc. are also on follow up. The technical support from Dept.of Psychiatry of Thrissur Medical College continued this year, especially with tremendous support from Prof.Shaji K.S.(Head of Dept). We are analyzing the Comprehensive Mental Health Survey that was undertaken by a team of dedicated volunteers last year. An expert review on the results is expected next year.
CMHP got a shot in the arm by the involvement of the MEHAC foundation of Dr.Chithra Venkiteswaran from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr.Chithra has been visiting the hospital almost every month from May this year and has been taking care of all patients needing expert evaluation and management. She is also conducting home visits to patients and giving training sessions to mental health volunteers. Mukesh, who had a week of Observership at Department of Psychiatry in Thrissur Medical College, was appointed as medical social worker for CMHP in February, followed by Rajinesh and Anu in September. Rajinesh underwent training at TTK Hospital Chennai in De-addiction for one month. Rajinesh and Anu also went for an exposure visit to Bodhi and Mithra at Thiruvananthapuram which are de-addiction centres run by Smt.Sugathakumari. Thereafter classes on de addiction were held at 7 tribal hamlets followed by screening programmes. A de- addiction camp is planned for third week of January in which about 20 patients are expected to participate. Dr.Narayanan visited The Banyan, in Chennai for an experience of their Community Mental Health Programme. We plan to have regular training programmes for mental health volunteers in 2012.
Mukesh Jyothi, a very good friend of the mission along with some of his friends has been supporting the mental health programme right from its inception. This year students from Chinmaya Mission school, Thrissur and Rajasri High School, Aluva have started sending medicines for the programme.
Another community project, Village Health Worker programme also was full of activities. Volunteers are now working in 40 villages with four village coordinators and one taluk coordinator. The volunteers organised medical camps, distributed health education leaflets, brought sick patients to the hospital and selected patients for eye and other specialty camps.
Our hospital Administrator Abhilash attended a three day training on ‘Base line data collection and MIS’ conducted by Balavikasa PTDC at Warangal in February.
The administration of Malleeswara Vidya Nikethan, a lower primary school situated 2 kms from Agali was handed over to Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission by a Palakkad based trust. The school caters to tribal and rural children and emphasis is on quality education based on Indian culture and values. A lot of ground was covered on infrastructure development and raising the standards of teaching .There are 110 students in the school up to fourth standard, of which 50 students receive free education.
The Hospital through its field coordinators, also organized a visit to tribal hamlets for several batches of students from the different schools from Palakkad, Thrissur and Coimbatore. The students got a feel of tribal living, their conditions and culture. Many of the students distributed rice, blankets and clothes to the tribal people there. More batches of students are expected next year. Village volunteers organised deepa pooja and bhajan programmes at several places. One day training for Sri Lalitasahasranama archana was held in October.
The Annual General Body meeting of the trust held on October 2, approved a long term master plan for integrated development of mission activities like development of the hospital, school, initiating new projects in the fields of education, vocational training, youth and leadership development, culture, women’s empowerment and conservation of environment and agriculture.
Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission was awarded the Sri Guruji Seva Puraskaram for year 2010 instituted by Samoohya Seva Kendram ,Kochi. The award was received by our President Sri V.P.S.Menon from Padmasri Sri P.R.Krishnakumar, Managing Director of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore on 19th February.
Currently the hospital needs more space and equipments to cater to the growing need of the patients of that area. There is a proposal to construct the first floor of the building and purchase of additional equipments which could cost around Rupees 67 lakhs.
All supports can be sent to
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA MEDICAL MISSION ATTAPPADY (REG.NO.55/IV/2004)
Agali PO, Palakkad District 678581
Ph: 04924 254107, Email : svmmagali@gmail.com
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