16th, Dec. 2007

Report of Dr. Shiban Warikoo's Visit to the Hospital 

Dear Chand ji,

Here is report of my visit  to Shri Bhat Memorial Hospital (SBMH), Jammu on Nov 26th 2007.
 
SBMH is more of a rural health clinic (out-patient facility), situated in Durganagar Jammu (close to Sarwal, and other KP camps) . This was my first visit to this place, even though I have been associated with KOA programs from the very beginning. SBMH clinic is entirely  a local effort by dedicated  members of KP community under the leadership of Dr Kundan Lal Chowdhury. They do get modest support from various sources from time to time. There was an effort in the past to make a real hospital at this location, but that did not go any further. At present there are no such plans. Their main service area is to the migrants in camps, regardless of their religion, cast, gender or language spoken (good idea).
     
I was at this clinic on Nov 26th, 2007. I was greeted warmly buy people who run the clinic on day today basis. Veer ji Bhat is executive secretary, R K Pandita and  Omkar Nath Bhat and others  render all their services on a voluntary Basis. SBMH clinic is situated  in KP neighbor hood, perhaps on 200 sq yards. The structure is modest but adequate  for the purpose. The Place was quite clean, with a small garden in the front. This gives you a nice feeling upon arrival. There are four rooms of adequate size, front office for patients to be seated comfortably, Doctors exam room, Pharmacy room and the storage area. There is also a room for Lab / ultrasound / breathing treatment area etc. Perhaps a critical patient could be stabilized there, before transferring  to a hospital Doctors exam room was quite adequate in size and it had all the necessary furniture and equipment to examine the patient in privacy. All the rooms had a fan, exam room had A/C. Toilet facility was clean, and served the function adequately.

During my stay at SUM, I saw 35 patients, mostly urologic consultations, older men, women with stones, and children. Radiologist was available at the site with his ultrasound machine. We did use his services on a couple of patients. Dr. Chowdhury came in  the afternoon and gave me an  overview of the functioning of this clinic. Later on local urologist Dr Suresh Saraf also came. He told me that any  migrant in need of urologic surgery are easily accommodated in the Govt hospital at a minimal charge. At present it would not be possible to have a urologic surgical camp just for the  migrants (I have been participating in such a camp in Bhopal, India for the last few years). Towards the end I was graciously served with Chai and telwor (begal) from local kandur (baker).

There was a roster of different physicians who serve at the clinic from Monday to Saturday, mostly in primary care but some subspecialty areas were also represented.

This  is a very successful project, run by local people for the migrants. This should be supported by KOA from time to time, to support any special needs that my arise. I would also appeal to any physician visiting Jammu, to spend whatever time they can at the SUM clinic. Simply contact Dr Kundan Lal Chowdhury (Kundanleela@Yahoo.com). Hope I am authorized to give his e-mail.

I had some discussion with Veer ji Bhat about other needs at the camps. they have already undertaken many such projects.

A.   Hepatitis B immunization for every one in need at the camps.
B.  Mid-day Meal  for children in Rishi school (funded by Candian KP association)
C.  School uniforms for all the children at the Rishi school (Udhampur)

After discussing with Vir ji Bhat and R.K. Pandita, I feel KOA should provide assistance for similar programs in future.

1. Mid day meal at the school This certainly should continue.
2. Prenatal  program for pregnant mothers to be, at the camps (nutrition, vitamins, iron tablets, milk or even cash assistance to help with incidental expenses.)
3. Establish computer lab at the school (Mr. Negroponte's $100 personal computer), just an idea to be explored.
4. Physical education for camp children (sports equipment)
5. Goal to expand Rishi school up to 10th grade level. Establish liaison between children here in USA with children at the school. Perhaps each KOA zone could sponsor one class room in the school.

Dear Chand ji, hope I have given you food for thought. Sunil Fotedar called me other day, so I am cc to him also.

Thanks for your time.

Dr. Shiban Warikoo

PICTURES