In an uncommissioned hospital premise of Sub District Hospital Banihal, District Ramban, Gauri Healthy Heart Project started its Jammu campaign. The team and volunteers stayed on till the last patient was satisfactory seen by Dr. U. Kaul.
Well beyond sunset, no electricity available, A small portable solar lamp carried the day to its fruitful end. Patiently the attendants and patients stayed on. An extraordinary show of social service that needs to be revered and told. This medical camp like no other indeed, as GHHP conducts free heart camp at Banihal.
In this series of monthly camps, Gauri Healthy Heart Project (GHHP) conducts its first camp in Jammu Province in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services, Jammu. The camp was coordinated by enthusiastic local volunteer group of Banihal.
A list of patients with heart problems, hypertension and diabetes was made by them. Amid Covid-19 protocol, all patients were tested with RAT kits for Covid-19 and patients who tested negative were registered for evaluation. The total of 111 patients were treated during the camp.
Spot lipid profile, spot sugar, ECG and blood pressure was checked for the patients and comprehensive medical history was taken from them. Final evaluation was done by leading cardiologist Prof. Upendera Kaul.
In a statement Prof Upendera Kaul said, “The experience of the camp was really extraordinary. Patients, almost all of them had issues and many of them elderly had no idea that they were prone to serious issues like strokes with a high incidence of Atrial fibrillation. Our volunteer in chief, Basit Rafiq had kept all the medicines we needed with starter kits. A really gratifying day I will remember for a long long time.” Assuring full support to them Prof. Kaul further said, “Both these patients need heart surgery and consequently both were referred to cardiology department, AIIMS, Delhi. Their admission and management at AIIMS would be facilitated by GHHP”.
Geriatric Consultant, Dr. Zubair Saleem said, “The aim of this camp is to optimize the treatment of Cardiovascular, diabetic and hypertensive patients. Novel, patient friendly and cost effective therapies were introduced in the treatment protocols of patients. Besides prescribing evidence based cardioprotective and nephroprotective medicines, awareness about importance of balanced diet and physical activities was given to the patients”.
CEO GHHP and social entrepreneur Ajaz Rashid said, “Our first camp in Jammu has got a tremendous response from the public. This specialised Cardiology camp in Banihal provided poor and needy heart patients service at their doorstep. GHHP stands committed to reach more remote destinations in Jammu region. The real highlight is the youth support from Banihal Volunteers who worked hard to make this camp a success.”
“I feel pleased to thank Dr Upendra Kaul, renowned cardiologist, and his team for organising free heart camp under the banner of Gauri healthy heart project at people’s doorstep in my home town.
With the patient friendly approach Dr Kaul sahab, and his team has added substance and passion to this project. It’s an honour to be the part of this free heart camp.” said, Alyas Banihali social activist from Banihal.
“It is heart breaking to see people, including small children, having different kinds of heart problems, some mistreated and some ignored. People getting free consultation, evaluation, assessment and counselling by Dr. U Kaul a champion healthy heart doctor is something we shoulf thank for. It is quite impressive and alerting to see doctors stressing more upon prevention than cure but with minimal medication for general patients.” said Er. Manzoor Nawchoo
GHHP would like to sincerely thank CMO Ramban and BMO Banihal, their staff, Mr. Ilyas Wani, Basit Rafiq and others for their support.