Spirit of Health-Fair enlivens the Community at BAPS Mandir
BAPS Medical Services and AIPNO offer record services for 3rd year

Sunday 28 April 2002, Cleveland, OH

BAPS Medical Services, Inc. and the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO) organized the third annual Health-Fair to serve the community at the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Brunswick (Cleveland), Ohio on Sunday April 28, 2002 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Health-Fair this year raised the benchmark even higher than the already high standards established by the 2nd annual Health-Fair in 2001. From different specialties, eagerly donated their services free of charge and all very pleased with how well it was organized so that their time and services were utilized very efficiently. The medical tests/services offered were expanded to more than 40 different categories. The Health-Fair was supported by several area-hospitals, pharmaceutical corporations, other companies and benevolent individuals. People came from as far as 3 hours away to obtain these medical services.

As in the past, the patient-participants were registered on the computer and identification labels were generated which helped in not only reducing the processing time at different medical booths but also in reducing potential errors. For many repeat participants from the last Health-Fair, their earlier medical records were also made available to provide continuity of care. People were pleased to watch the computer-savvy professional volunteers handle the logistics and registration swiftly and with ease.

A few new medical tests were offered this year, such as the ones for sleep disorder, ankle-brachial index and ultrasound of carotid arteries. The blood/lab tests offered included cholesterol (lipid profile), blood count, blood chemistry, finger-stick blood glucose, PSA, a test related to the prostate gland in males, and pap-smears for females. Other tests performed were EKG, bone densitometry, audiometry, hemoccult test, glaucoma screening, and spirometry. Other exams offered were blood pressure measurement, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, ENT, dental screening, orthopedic, rheumatic, rectal, prostate, pelvic, breast and podiatric screening. Opinions / exams were available in pediatrics, allergy medicine, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, pain therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, surgery, urology, vascular medicine, mental health, nutrition, and vegetarianism.

AIPNO, founded in 1983, is an organization of 300 physicians of Indian origin. It conducts educational programs for the member physicians, residents and medical students. Since 1992, AIPNO has organized an annual fundraising event “Chiraag” and has targeted the funds for local charities that would benefit greatly from the contributions. AIPNO has also contributed funds for relief work related to natural calamities in India including the earthquake in January 2001, and also for the victims and the families of the victims of the September 11th attack.

BAPS Medical Services, Inc. has organized health-fairs and operates medical clinics in several USA cities. The organization, in collaboration with BAPS Charitable Trust of India, participates in health-care activities (clinics, hospitals and medical camps) in India. The BAPS Mandir where the Health-Fair was held was built in 1996. The Mandir holds regular Sunday meetings. During several such meetings, there were talks given by area physicians on important health-related issues to promote health-awareness, and these were very well-received.

The Health-Fair was inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.who, through a letter of blessings from India, conveyed his prayer wishes to Lord Swaminarayan of instilling greater strength in the physicians, para-medical professionals and coordinators to organize more such events to serve the community.