Mumbai – Advanced Treatment – Dec 15

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We organized the medical camps in Aug and Sept this year for the general health and eye camps in the month of Nov, 2015. Based on the findings, we identified roughly 25 kids for eye, ENT and Neuro related ailments. Our doctors provided preliminary medications for the ENT patients and waited for the feedback from the teachers. Almost all the kids responded to the treatment. Hence, the scope of advanced treatment was restricted to only Eyes and Neuro.

In case of regular camps, we focus on the kids, who are part of the schools. However, once the advance treatment kicks off, it is essential for us to track them even if they leave the school.  We had a combination of current and ex students for the advanced treatment this time.  Since these kids have to travel all the way to Mumbai, we ensure that at least one parent comes along with them.

Eye Checkup

Eye camp was held at Mahavir clinic, Malad West, wherein Dr Makwana examined the six kids. A coupld kids were examined by him last year and was pleasantly surprised to see the improvement in the vision. The key findings are as under:

• One small girl Kalyani (age – 8 years) has mild squint. Doctor demonstrated that if the kid wears the glasses with proper prescription, she would have better fixation of eyes. We had seen many cases in the villages, wherein absence of timely attention led to permanent squint.
• Sainath Kenjara (Age – 8 years) used to have constant watering. Initially, it was considered a problem with the tear duct. However, during the expert visit on 28^th Nov, 2015, it was found out that he has partial facial paralysis. Eye problem was just a side effect of that. Doctor trained his mother / teacher on certain exercises, which can help him improve by at least 60%.
• Kiran Tokare – He has high myopia (Of the order of -6 or so). His visual acuity was 6/24 with glasses last year. After wearing the glasses for the year, he is able to read 5^th line (6/12) out of 7 comfortably and 6^th with effort. His confidence level has gone up due to improved vision.
• Chetan Tokare (Age 7): During the optometric test at Vikramgadh, our optometrist could not take the reading using refractormeter since eyes were constantly shaking. Doctors confirmed that he has nystagamus, which is a neurological disorder. He was not able to read even a single line earlier. With high index glasses, he may be able to read at least two lines. We would have to take him to ophthalmologist – specialized in handling this cases – at Thane soon.

Neurological Treatment

Seven children with background of neurological problems were taken to Dr Rajani, a Neurophysician  in Borivali. Five those children were also examined by doctor and this was their follow-up visit. Some of the key findings are:

• Sandesh Baraf – he was diagnosed with ricket and was given Vit D & Calcium for 6 months. Lower limb weakness has reduced and he was able to walk without limping.
• Sahil Mankar – he was diagnosed with depression due to Vit D & Calcium deficiency. With medicines and parents behavioral counselling, results were positive.
• Sainath Aheda – Surgical intervention is recommended by doctor for his lower limb. Maintenance medicines are provided.
• Jayesh Khale – EEG was done for him. It was found that description given by parents for his problem was similar to seizure. However, EEG was found normal. He was advised calcium and iron supplement. Further to be checked after 6 months.
• Nikita Watas – Follow-up patient for seizures. With given medicines, seizures has reduced by 90%.
• Ramdas Gimbal – Identified as attention deficient and mentally retarded child. Maintenance medicines has resulted into reduced duration of seizures (from 25-30 min to 5-10 min).
• Samesh Palava – Patient identified during earlier camp visits. Medicines were provided. Follow-up after 6 months.

Better results in such cases are possible, if there were center for physiotherapy and occupational therapy are available. We have been able to achieve good results with only medicines, behavioral counselling and simple exercises taught to parents. These cases occur due to ignorance in anti-natal care, during pregnancy (done at home by untrained dai), and post natal care.

It was quite evident that the villagers developed lot of confidence in Team Suhrid since the difference in the lives of their kids was quite obvious. At the same time, it is quite essential for us increase the frequency of checkup, identify the patients, start the treatment and monitor closely to avoid these issues causing permanent problems. This is possible only if we have a primary health care center in this area. Team Suhrid would work closely with the local authorities for the same in near future.