February 2009

Come February and the heat builds up both in terms of illnesses as well as the onset of summer.

Total Outpatient: 1504
Below 15 years: Male - 105; Female - 90
Above 65 years: Male - 100; Female - 113
Adults: Male - 496; Female - 600

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 784
1000 - 1500: 477
More than 1500: 241

Eye Care
Total patients: 66
Glasses: 18
Medicines: 42
Surgeries: 06

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 04
Delivery: 01 (Hospital)

Charan Teja, 18 months was brought to the health centre with complaints of failure to thrive. Looking at him Dr Ramesh felt that it was MARASMUS (Protein Energy Malnutrition). However, since there was a history of Urinary Dribbling, we thought of Chronic Urinary Tract Infection, due to Postr Urethral Valves and Septicemia. Parentaeral antibiotics were given and he was referred to St Johns Medical College, where the latter diagnosis was confirmed. He is at present admitted at SJMCH and surgery has been planned once his Urinary Infection comes under control.
His treatment is being funded by SISHUKUNJ INTERNATIONAL

This young 19 year old girl came to us because of delayed as well as irregular cycles. Dr Kamakshi made the diagnosis of TURNERS SYNDROME since she is short statured as well as has neck webbing.

January 2009

January is traditionally a leaner month, because of the harvest season and the important festival of Sankranti. The statistics for this month are given below:

Outpatient Total: 1419
Below 15 years: Male 124, Female: 82
Above 65 years: Male: 70, Female: 55
Adults: Male 435, Females: 653

Income:
INR less than 1000: 683
1000 - 1500: 480
More than 1500: 252

Eye Programme
Total Patients: 96
Glasses: 29
Medicines: 61
Cataract Surgeries: 05

Antenatal Programme
New: 07
Delivery: 1 (Hospital)

Venkatalakshmi, is about 60 years. All but crippled because of her Osteoarthritis, she is dependent on two sticks to help her walk. She finds it impossible to go about her daily functions. NSAIDS (Painkillers) and Calcium tablets alleviate the pain to some extent. Her treatment is being funded by the Village Development Council, London.
Bavaji: July 2008 and January 2009. A patient of Severe Thyrotoxicosis, who with treatment has shown dramatic improvement. The two photos say it all.
Pavan Kalyan, 18 months, had a broncho pneumonia. Use of Nebuliser and additional oxygen, as an outpatient procedure ensured that he survived. Ideally he should have been have been hospitalised, but lack of money, meant that we had to treat him at the RHC. Thanks to Dr Ramesh for seeing him through.
His treatment was funded by Heart and Hand for the Handicapped, USA.

December 2008

As the year comes to an end the health centre continues to move on in providing health care for the rural poor.

Outpatient: Total 1865
Below 15 years
Male: 150; Female: 114
>65 years
Male: 101; Female 81
Adults
Male: 537; Female: 882

Income levels (INR per month)
Below 1000: 1006
1000 - 1500: 619
Above 1500: 240

Eye Programme: 108
Glasses: 26
Medicines: 28
Surgery: 07

Antenatal Programme:
New: 07
Deliveries: Home - 01, Hospital: 03 (02 LSCS)
Abortions: Nil

Subhadra, delivered a baby after 07 years of marriage. The look on her face says it all.

You could not have asked for a more proud set of parents.

Apuramu is 24 years and suffers from Epilepsy. The plaster cast on her left arm bears testimony to an injury sustained during an epileptic attack.

She is 04 months pregnant and is under our care. We are hoping that her epilepsy will be controlled so that she can have a normal conception and delivery.

Both Apuramu and Subhadra have been supported by funding from the Village Development Council, London, England

October 2008

Outpatient Total: 1566

Children < 15 years
Male: 127 ; Female: 108
Old Age > 65
Males: 80; Females: 80
Adults
Male: 449; Females: 772

Income Levels of Patients (INR per month)

< 1000 pm: 802
1000 - 1500 pm: 555
1500 - 3000 pm: 209

Eye Programme:
Number Examined: 99
Glasses Prescribed: 26
Medications: 58
Surgeries: 15

Ante Natal Programme:
New registrations: 02
Deliveries: Nil
Abortion: 01

September 2008

Outpatient Total: 1721
Children < 15 years
Male: 171; Female: 126
Old Age > 65 years
Male: 117; Female: 97
Adults
Male: 487; Female 723

Income Levels of Patients (INR per month)

< 1000 pm: 771
1000 - 1500: 431
1500 - 3000: 505

Eye Programme
Number Examined: 95
Glasses Prescribed: 22
Medications: 63
Surgery: 10

Ante Natal Programme
New Registrations: 2
Deliveries: 02 (Hospital 02, LSCS 01)
Abortions: 01

August 2008

Outpatient Total: 1550
Children <>Male: 142; Female: 77
Old Age (> 65 years)
Male: 99 ; Female 174
Adults
Male: 465 ; Female 593

Eye Programme
Number examined: 74
Glasses prescribed: 26
Medications: 34
Surgery: 09

Ante Natal Programme
New registration: 3
Deliveries: 02 (LSCS 01)
Abortions: Nil

Reddi Babu had a severe Viral Keratitis. Malnutrition and local practices like putting milk in the yes aggravated the infection. Fortunately we were able to save the eye with minimal corneal damage.

July 2008

As expected the pace of work picked up in July.

Outpatient Total: 1686
Children < 15
Male: 167, Female: 107
Old Age (> 65 years)
Male: 120; Female: 104
Adults
Male: 405; Female: 782

Eye Programme
Number examined: 103
Glasses Prescribed: 34
Medications: 56
Surgeries: 13

Antenatal Programme
New Registered: 05

Bavaji is a 17 year old boy, who came to us with massive loss of weight. As is apparent from the photograph, he is emaciated and the swelling on the neck is apparent.
He has THROTOXOCOSIS.
Clinically he also had Aortic and Mitral Regurgitation
His laboratory Investigations done here proved this diagnosis and an Echo done at St John's Medical College proved the presence of valvular heart disease.
He is now under treatment at the Health Centre.
His Investigations and hospitalisation was supported by SISHUKUNJ INTERNATIONAL
His medications are being supported by HEART and HAND FOR THE HANDICAPPED.


Kadirappa, is a 65 year old man who came to the Health Centre with a chronic pain in the neck and difficulty in walking.
Clinically his gait was spastic, with brisk lower limb reflexes. Bowel and bladder control were maintained. This suggested a cord compression in the cervical (neck) region.
An X Ray done at the Health Centre, proved this diagnosis.
He has been put on a Cervical Collar and NSAIDs for the pain.
He will require graded physiotherapy and cervical muscle strengthening excercises.
The cost of his collar and investigation were supported by the Village Development Council.

The health centre restarted work on 02 June, a Monday, and sure enough the word of mouth express ensured that the patients were there in full. We have decided to showcase our statistics in a different way which we hope will be clearer.

Outpatient: Total 1382
Children (<15)
Male: 132 Female: 132
Old Age (> 65 years)
Male: 120 Female: 102
Adults
Male: 389 Female: 559
Eye Programme
Total Patients: 66
Glasses: 16
Medications: 37
Cataract Surgeries: 13
Antenatal Programme
New Patients: 01


Every day one encounters a slew of stories, some to do with hard luck, some just defeated by the world, but in all this the very spirit of humanity shines through....
A few of the stories are given below:

Shivaiah, who is 70 years is a Rural Artisan. What that means is that he depends upon traditional art work for his living. He has an only son who is mentally retarded. Shivaiah takes care of him with his meagre earnings and old age pension of Rs 200 pm. Shivaiah himself is a Diabetic and Hypertensive. The health centre provides free treatment to both Shivaiah and his son.
Shivaiah's treatment is possible thanks to a grant from Village Development Council, London, who have funded us for Old Age support.
His son's medicines for Fits comes from a grant from Heart and Hand for the Handicapped, New York

Deena has no parents, both of them succumbing to some illness - possibly AIDS. She is looked after by her grandmother. Deena stays in the Rural Education Centre, through the week. At the REC she gets to eat three meals a day and also gets a few clothes. Weekends she is back with her grandmother.
Subbamma, was hit by her son, because she was too old and was a drain on her family. As youcan see in the photograph, her right shoulder is swollen and distorted from the blow. This is domestic violence aimed at the old. Rising prices and runaway inflation is making life all the more difficult for the rural poor.