Service without boundaries

AN INFANT, born prematurely in a remote village, develops some complication and struggles to breathe. It needs immediate medical attention. That means travelling quite a distance. But without oxygen supply to the brain, the child may not survive the journey. What the baby needs is a mobile ventilator. But where does one get that?

It is to help such babies that the Madras West Round Table No. 10 recently donated a mobile ventilator to the Sahishnatha Educational and Charitable Trust, a non-profit service organisation. The project titled "Save the brain" aims at preventing mental disorders that could develop due to lack of oxygen. "Sometimes we are able to save the life of a baby, but not the brain," says Dr Jayam, a retired paediatrician and the backbone of the Sahishnatha Trust.

The trust was founded by the doctors of the paediatric department of Vijaya Hospital in 1998 and has ever since, been involved in taking care of babies who suffer physical and mental disorders. "Our primary goal is to prevent disability," Dr Jayam reiterates. The trust is also doing commendable work for children suffering from Down's Syndrome.The mobile ventilator, an imported machine and the first of its kind in the city, requires no gas, air or electricity. It is based on pneumatics and can withstand the rough journey on the uneven roads.

Explaining the modus operandi, Sashi Kumar, a technical man, says, "We get calls from other hospitals when they face a high risk pregnancy. We then get to the place with a paediatrician and nurse in tow, and immediately arrange for the baby to be moved to our hospital. The ventilator takes care of the baby's breathing activity. That way we can prevent any brain damage." The cost of the treatment is nominal.

Appreciating the gesture of the Round Table No. 10, which donated the machine, Dr Jayam continues, "No child should be denied life saving care because the parents cannot afford it."

This is not the first time the Madras West Round Table No. 10 has "in a small way contributed to the upliftment of society", as chairman Abhay Mehta puts it. The school project for village schools in Madanapalle is another recent effort to promote education in rural areas.

Recounts Mehta, "When we asked a villager what he wanted for his son, his reply was, 'I want him to be able to go from one village to another without any problem!' Their needs are very simple, very basic."

In fact the association has collaborated with a private school, that has been "doing amazing work for the village children," says Mehta. The villagers have donated the land while the private school is supervising the building construction and providing training for the teachers.

Says Abhay Mehta, "Initially teachers from this school would visit the villages and teach the children. Soon they started training some of the villagers. Their method of teaching is very unconventional. Now even Government schools have taken the cue and want to send their teachers for training."

Social service... it is the common thread that has brought the two organisations together.

SAVITHA GAUTAM

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