In 2008, we happened to meet the CO of Raigad District. Mr.Bhosale told us about the plight of the Public Health Centers. There were no Gynecologists with them and at that point in time they had more than 1600 pregnant BPL women registered with them. We decided to arrange a one-day pre-natal camp for them in the Civil Hospital in Pen. The date was finalized. Little did we know the challenges that stared at us in this journey. 1. Availability of Gynecologists: I discussed the initiative with my cousin Dr.Jayashree Pandya (Nair Hospital, Mumbai). She told me that for this camp we would need at least 15-20 Gynecologists. We only had 3 of them in Pen. So, we visited every Medical College in Mumbai - KEM, Sion, Nair, MGM, DY Patil, Sommaiya, etc. The response was overwhelming. In a day, we had 20 Doctors ready to volunteer. 2. Testing Kits: Dr.Chin Ling Yi (Nair Hospital) told us that they needed the HIV reports for all the women. We checked back with the PHCs. They did not have the rapid kits for it! So, we went to a distributor and requested him to get it for us. He provided the kits in Rs.8-10 (if I remember the figure right). The Government Lab conducted the HIV and other tests in a week. 3. Logistics of the Camp: There were many things that needed to be done. Making travel arrangements for the Drs, planning for their food, registering and planning logistics of these pregnant women from their villages to Pen, sanitizing the Civil Hospital, arranging the food packets for the women, support staff, and volunteers. Uday Sathe and HIMANSHU KOTHARI managed the food and travel. Mhatre Hemant and a group of volunteers managed the on-site activities. 4. On the day of the camp: The CO and the Health Staff put in a lot of effort. 950 odd women finally turned up for the camp. Asha Workers accompanied these women from the villages. The Gynecologists provided quality consultation to these pregnant women. We had a baby delivery in the camp! One case of delayed pregnancy was identified and rushed to Alibaug Civil Hospital for immediate surgery. Each woman was provided the basic medication - iron supplements, vitamins, etc. They were handed the food packets. The camp was impossible without the selfless service rendered by the Gynecologists, Volunteers, Government Officials, Donors. Coordinated efforts, without worrying who gets the credit, made this initiative successful. The camp arrangements were flawless. Each stakeholder went home completely satisfied. When we accounted for all the expenses, we realized what volunteering can do. We were able to arrange the camp at a cost of less than Rs.1000 per beneficiary! I worked out a similar model for managing the COVID crisis in our town. I presented it to the head of our Municipal Council. She was receptive. I am hopeful that they would let the community get involved in this fight. Keeping my fingers crossed. - Subodh #volunteering #healthmanagement #fightagainstcovid19
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