A free camp was conducted for the disadvantaged children in Ramanthapuram on August 11, 2007 by GNS Sevai Illam with the support of a local service organization. The medical team of six people (two physiotherapists, two orthotists, one manager) was led by the Physiatrist Dr. S.Sunder M.D. (Physical Science) of FREEDOM Trust of Chennai. The goal of this camp was to identify patients with physical disability with a view to providing devices free of cost, to improve their functional level.
The work of the medical staff had three components: 1. helping patients with disability, 2. providing artificial legs to amputees of all ages, 3. exposing final year students of the local physiotherapy college to methods of diagnosis on real patients. The camp aimed for 70 patients; 69 attended. One was an old amputee, who did not get an artificial leg for 28 years. The patients were mostly from the working class. About 30 of them were from a local home for physically disabled children run by a charity organization; 12 were by another similar home for mentally disabled children. Some patients needed transportation to come to the camp because they could not afford to hire vehicles and this was provided by the local organization.
The methods used for patient mobilization were the following. 1. A big flex board in front of Sevai Illam with a pre-registration book. 2. Flyers with details of the camp. 3. ‘Word of mouth’ by volunteers and those who saw the flex board or the flyer. 4. Personal contact with homes for the handicapped in Ramanathapuram made by GNS Sevai Illam volunteers, Balamurugan and Ramakrishnan, and a local organization.
The camp was for one full day. Four volunteers helped with collecting biographical information on the patients. The medical staff examined these patients and then wrote down the diagnosis, prescription of medications, exercises and equipments on a standard form. Patients and their escorts were provided food, water and toilet facilities while waiting. Addresses for the patients were obtained for purposes of follow up.
Out of 69 patients, 38 were identified as cases fit for equipment support. Patients expressed happiness with the examination and advice they got. The organizers were happy that the service reached deserving people. The medical team was happy that there was good response. An important issue is follow up. Patients asked for professional consultation during or after prescribed medications and exercise therapy. A hospital attached to a local Physiotherapy College promised free consultation. A major follow up responsibility of GNS Sevai Illam is to contact and bring all 38 patients (some of their addresses are scanty) to receive supporting equipments and training in their use in a follow up camp on October 7. FREEDOM Trust would like to get donations for specific equipments from both local and outside donors.
GNS Sevai Illam plans to organize more camps in the future. Some ideas currently being explored are a camp for people with hearing impairment and one for psychiatric patients. Another task that needs to be done is to increase public awareness of the available government run schemes and services for the disabled. Some local non-profit groups are interested in assisting GNS Sevai Illam in its work.
The goal of the camps organized by Sevai Illam is to optimize health care to the underserved people at minimal or no cost.