HEALTH IS WEALTH
Here is a report by Krishnanand Mankikarmam on the Health Screening Camp held at Shirali during the Rathotsava celebration this year (June 2025)
What a sight it was to see the line of workers and sub-staff queuing up at the Bhojanashala on the 13th of April, during Rathotsava this year. Mangesh Chickermanemam was sitting with a wad of envelopes handing one to each person who was then directed to the other end of the Bhojanashala where Dr Seema Masurkar would open the envelope containing the results of the blood test conducted over three days earlier, and then guide the concerned person.
The blood testing camp was a brainchild of Ms Aditi Baindur of Dharwad and Dr. Shreegouri Savkur of Boston USA (who has conducted a number of health camps earlier for SCM). Ms Baindur had also conducted a successful camp at the Shivaratri Utsava earlier this year at Hubballi.
About 109 participants, from the cleaning women who work in the kitchen and the premises of the Math, to the kitchen staff and the workers in Kembre Farms, availed of the services offered. The entire camp was sponsored by donors and was conducted from 10th April through 13th April . For almost all of them terms like cholesterol, thyroid and haemoglobin were not only alien, they were unaware of their importance too.
Here is a detailed break-up:
Total tests conducted - 109
People fully ok. - 52
People with 1 or more deviations. - 57
Of these -
Low haemoglobin - 14
High RBS. - 19
High cholesterol - 20
High TSH. - 18
High HbA1c. - 42
Those fully ok were generally around 45 years of age or lesser.
People with deviations were largely above 45 years.
Obviously, after age 45, people need better food control and regular blood testing.
One just wonders if these people who usually depend on the local country remedies, would have ever understood they have a medical problem that needs correction, but for this camp. Further analysis needs to be done like corelating the ages of the people to the parameters and checking the age distribution of those who are generally ok. The camp was conducted successfully, thanks to the seva offered by -
Doctors - Vasanti Savkur and Seema Masurkar
Diagnostic expert - Ms. Aditi Baindur of Dharwad
Volunteer Pacchi-s - Savita Padukone, Amruta Baindur and Isha Mundkur
Speaking in Kannada whenever needed, doctors patiently explained the meaning of the parameters, the precautions to be taken and further follow- up if any was needed.
Whoever needed further guidance was asked to contact and get further help from local doctors.
Some of the important pointers were:
Most of the farm workers in Kembre were found to be deficient in haemoglobin. Dr. Vasanti Savkur Pachi traced that this was due to the worms resulting from contact with soil. She prescribed deworming medicine for all the workers from Kembre farm. A few who had severe haemoglobin deficiency were also prescribed iron and folic acid tablets to be taken for a longer perod. These medicines were procured by donors and were sent for the staff at the Kembre Farms.
Some of the staff above 50 years were found in need of control of sugar (pre-diabetic), high THS - thyroid stimulating hormone and cholesterol. Each person was seen by a doctor for relevant consultation.
The need has been felt for an in-depth Health Awareness talk in Kannada for the sub-staff. This can be organised during Chaturmas. Dr. Seema Masurkar Pachchi has volunteered to conduct the session.
Kudos to Mangesh Chickermane Mam for getting the inspiration to organise this, to Aditi Baindur and Dr Gouri for planning and to Aditi Pacchi also for execution and diagnostic support, to Doctors - Vasanti Savkur and Seema Masurkar pacchi for advising the patients, and to Volunteer Pacchi-s - Savita Padukone, Amruta Baindur and Isha Mundkur without whose support this activity could not have been as seamless as it was.
It was गुरुकृपा एव केवलम ्that this camp opened up the awareness of health care for these 109 participants and definitely many more in the future.. It was mentioned by Ganapati Vaidya maam during his acceptance of honour speech at the Dharmasabha that SCM is one of the rare spiritual centres that also actively supports non- religious social activities for the benefit of all those who come in contact with the Math. Our grateful thanks to HH Swamiji for His continued and ongoing vision, support and compassion towards the all-round welfare of the laity.
A Sadhana called Seva
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