T.H.I.S, Newsletter, April 2019 Edition.

VOLUME – 04 Page : 01

T.H.I.S.

“Health is Wealth” is a very true

Free Medical Camps in Villages to its meaning, as one cannot do
anything if he or she does not have
As a part of our efforts to make basic healthcare accessible in and around good health. So, it is important that
Vizianagaram District. SUMITHRA RAJU FOUNDATION, supports to each person must know the causes,
effects and remedy related to their
conducted free health camps in villages by Philadelphia Community individuals’ health issues. One
Hospital. Providing succour to over many people. Many of these villages person’s carelessness or ignorance
of good health care can affect other
have no healthcare facilities or even a qualified healthcare worker. Team of
person living with him or around
Doctors from Philadelphia Community Hospital, Salur – doctors, nurses and him.
paramedics- battle inhospitable terrain, the vagaries of nature and many other
adversities to reach the hinterlands, living up to our motto of “saving and
enriching lives”. The Free Health Camps are organized in the rural areas
where people are neither able to afford medical treatment nor having any
basic knowledge regarding health and hygiene. So, through these programs
people are given various tips on health issues. Besides these, basic health
problems and sicknesses are diagnosed provided with free medicines. The
program is conducted in its targeted area with the help of doctors from the
government (PHC) or private hospital. In fact, these programs have been
great benefits to many such peoples every year who could not reach to the
nearest local hospitals

We are truly grateful to Dr. Y.B.R Prasanna Raju of Goldsboro, North Carolina, USA and acknowledge his generous gift
in memory of his wife, three children and his wife's parents who are with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. This gift will
change the lives of poverty stricken people who are afflicted with Leprosy and the tribal children and their parents near
Salur in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Free medical camps are set up with a sacred aim to bring awareness amongst the deprived population of the
Vizianagaram district, who have no access to basic healthcare services or knowledge about the diseases they are
suffering from. So, medical camps provide free medical advice, medicine to the unfortunate people and refer for
specialized treatment or surgery whenever it is required. These camps make sure people are getting the
healthcare at the right time, and seeing the doctor early enough before a small health problem turns serious.
T.H.I.S, Newsletter, April 2019 Edition VOLUME – 04 Page: 02

Importance of Medical Camp:

Medical camps are conducted by health professionals to carry out a limited health intervention amongst the underprivileged
community. The poor attend these camps to get free check-up and treatment. Getting the appropriate kind of health
checkups is vital for every human being and while considering it, some important factors like age, lifestyle, family
background, and risks are taken into account. Health examinations and tests at the early stages of the illness can help to cure
it faster and save a life before it can cause any damage. One can live longer and healthier only when the individual gets the
right kind of health check-up, screening, and treatments. Even the most basic checkups can identify underlying illnesses.

These medical camps provide the poor population overall physical examinations which include Dental, eyes, Leprosy
Screening and health check-up, assessment of the functioning of vital organs like the heart, lungs, digestive system, liver,
kidneys and the immune system. Free medical camps are extremely helpful for the poor population who earn a meagre
income and cannot afford expensive healthcare services offered by hospitals or clinics

 Provide free and high-quality medical services for poor population.

 Working as an emergency team in disasters.
 Raise health awareness among the community and teach them to deal with communicable and noncommunicable
 Register rare and severe cases and refer them to specialized centres.
 Evaluate the living conditions and determine the obstacles and challenges to work on solving their problems.
 Refer medical cases towards surgeries if required.
T.H.I.S, Newsletter, April 2019 Edition VOLUME – 04 Page: 03

We obviously need to improve our failing healthcare system where costs

are skyrocketing and the poor do not have the healthcare they need.
Healthcare is a basic right of a human being which should be available for
everyone and shouldn’t be treated as a commodity only for those who can
spend money to buy the services.
The physicians conducting the camps are obliged to act in the best interest
of the patients. They inform the whole truth about the diseases and
treatments of the patients. Every patient attending the camps are treated
similarly and cared for evenly.
Medical camps are solely serving humanity by taking care of the sick
children and adults and giving them healthcare services for free. When the
majority of hospitals and clinics are closed for the poor people leaving
them to die from diseases, trauma and other health complications, free
medical camps step in as their biggest hope. Even the poorest among us
deserve the dignity of equal human rights which cannot be declined.
Organization and Man-power
The Superintendent of Philadelphia Community Hospital Salur will be
over all in charge and responsible to execute this project. He will be
assisted by Manager Health Programmes, well trained, sympathetic and
committed health workers. The service of the Doctors and other Medical
Specialists will be taken from the Hospital. Voluntary services of the
doctors and medical professionals will be encouraged in the project.

About The Donor - Dr. Y.B.R.Prasanna Raju

Dr. Raju has been practicing medicine near Goldsboro since 1976. He has
been married to Sumithra Raju for 56 years and sadly Mrs Sumithra Raju died
5 years ago. He is now retired and lives in Goldsboro.

He is one of 6 siblings and comes from a very humble, blessed family from
Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh and nearby villages. He did his medicine and
finished his post graduation from Guntur medical College in 1965. He worked
as Assistant professor in Medicine and Radiology and went UK in 1972. He
then finished his M.R.C.P in 1975 while he was working in Canterbury, Kent,
England.

He and his wife Mrs. Sumithra Raju moved to U.S.A in 1976 and settled in
Goldsboro Dr. Raju continued to work until he retired in 2010. He was popular
and loved by his patients all his life.
He and his wife have been Christians lifelong and Mrs. Sumithra Raju as well
as supporting her husband did various volunteer jobs in and around Goldsboro.

Dr. Raju now lives alone reminiscing his happy and wonderful memorable life
they both spent together for more than 56 years, as well as supporting people
suffering from Leprosy, poor people and an orphanage in India, his home
country.

Dr. Raju wrote these profound touching prayers while his wife Mr. Sumithra
Raju was in hospital totally depending on him and the wonderful nursing staff
He not only used to read and pray these prayers to strengthen himself but also
read them to his wife (though unconscious) to give her peace and comfort.
T.H.I.S, Newsletter, April 2019 Edition VOLUME – 04 Page: 04

Philadelphia Community Hospital has provided free medical care to

impoverished community in Metavalasa village in Bobbli Mandal in
Vizianagaram District. Andhra Pradesh, India. Free medical clinic was held
on 28th March 2019 in Metavalasa panchayat office. The Metavalasa
community people are neither able to afford medical treatment nor having
any basic knowledge regarding health and hygiene. So, through Our Medical
Camp people are given various tips on health issues. Besides these, basic
health problems and sicknesses are diagnosed provided with free medicines.
The Medical Camp is conducted 15 km away from Philadelphia Community
Hospital with the help of 2 Medical Officers, 2 Super Speciality Doctors
(Orthopaedics & General Physician), 1 Dentist, 2 Opthal Technician, 3
Nurses, 1 Pharmacist, 1 Community Health Manager, and 5 Volunteers.. In
fact, this Medical Camp has given great benefits to many Poor people where
they could not afford the treatment or could not reach to the nearest
government (PHC) as they are 15 kms away from the village. Metavalasa
village depends on registered Medical Practitioner (RMP). This Community
has health issues such as skin diseases, respiratory issues, liver and abdomen
problems, coughs, TB, fever, chronic body pain, Dental problems
and hygiene, Join and Back aces, gynaecological problems, anaemia,
Diabetic, Blood Pressure, malnutrition and other health problems. In terms of
social problem, there are trends of alcohol addiction among adults and very
low levels of schools attendance among children. Children generally leave
school young and start work, perpetuating the cycle of caste discrimination
and poverty. Sumithra Raju Foundation and THIS project funded a free
medical camp in Metavalasa village. During the Camp, the Medical Team
and specialist doctors conducted medical examinations on 517 adults and
children were screened and given full course of medications. Any illnesses or
conditions that were identified that needed follow up, will be followed and
referred to Philadelphia Community Hospital. The Metavalasa community
was heart touch by this medical camp. They were so happy and thanked the
team and Philadelphia community hospital with tears for the medical help
which they got. Philadelphia community hospital Thanks to our Medical
Suppliers who donated 80 thousand worth of medicines for medical camp.
Dr Ratna Kumar (Medical Officer)
Dr Wesley Pavani (Medical Officer)
Dr Vivek Athunoori (General Physician)
Dr Aditya Shekar (Orthopaedic Surgeon)
Dr Anuradha Edward (Dental Surgeon)
Mr Lazarus Chowdhary (Manager Community Health programmes) has done
arrangements and communicated with the partners who help this camp
happen.
T.H.I.S, Newsletter, April 2019 Edition VOLUME – 04 Page: 05

Save a girl child for a better tomorrow

Treating Ms. Chelluri Adhi Treating Ms. Chelluri Vijaya Laxmi Treating Ms. Challa Vijaya Laxmi
Laxmi Laxmi Laxmi
Dental treatments are provided free of cost to the poor Girl Child. The Dentist
Dr Anuradha Said “I am proud of the initiative taken. THIS Project is
committed to provide basic Health facilities to the Girl Child in the Tribal
Villages of Vizianagaram District. Give a Girl child a Smile: Through THIS,
children who may not have access to dental care can receive free oral health
education, screenings, preventive care, and treatment.” Free treatment was
provided to Challa Vijaya Laxmi, 9 years, Studying 3rd class, Chelluri Vijaya
Laxmi,7 years, Studying 2nd Class, Chelluri Aadhi Laxmi, 10 years, Studying
5th Class from Pedda Cheepuruvalasa in Salur mandal in Vizianagaram
district, which is an adopted village of THIS project. “Many more people
should come forward to help like these children in the coming days for a
better tomorrow to save a Girl Child”.

Your generous contribution will make a difference to the lives of people affected by leprosy in India.

Payment by cheque : You can send your donations by cheque in favour of P L HOSPITAL, payable at Salur. Payment by NEFT payment: You can send your donations

through Transfer / NEFT: P L HOSPITAL, A/c no: 11370742563, State Bank of India, Salur branch (00914), IFS code: SBIN0000914

All donations to The Leprosy Mission Trust India are eligible for 50% tax relief under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Get Involved & Support Our Work

Help us to change lives for the better! Join us in the fight against leprosy and related diseases that affect the People of Andhra Pradesh

WORD OF THE MONTH

PEACE MAKER
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid John 14:27
An acceptance that can never be questioned (Ephesians 1;6) An Inheritance that can never be lost ( 1 Peter 1;3)
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinth 1:10) A Grace that can never be limited (2 Corinth 12:9)
A hope that can never be disappointed (Hebrews 6:18) A Bounty that can never be withdrawn (1 corinth 3:21)
A Joy that can never be diminished (John 15:11) A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13)
A Righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinth 5:21) A salvation that can never be cancelled (Hebrew 5:9)
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27)
Peace may not be possible in our world, but it is possible in our hearts, because God has given us acceptance, inheritance, deliverance,
grace, hope, bounty, joy, nearness, rightiousness,and salvation. HELLELUJAH
Dr Prassana Raju, Goldsboro, N.C, USA

Email: healthcaresalur@gmail.com Website: tribalhealthcaresalur.weebly.com