COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR BY BAPS Charities - WASHINGTON DC

06.05.2005 Washington DC, USA

The BAPS Charities held a Community Health Fair in Washington DC on Sunday, June 05, 2005. The chief Guest was the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy, Dr. Benjamin Wu. Many Doctors and medical technicians from various medical fields volunteered their expertise during this health fair. The fair, announced well in advance began at 9:00 am as Dr. Ramesh Shah, the coordinator of BAPS Medical Services, Washington center, welcomed the doctors and medical technicians. Dr. Bipin Savani from the NIH gave a brief introductory speech on the health fair and its benefits. Dr. Nayan Shah, of Shah Associates LLC, MD welcomed and introduced Dr. Benjamin Wu and invited him to inaugurate the Health Fair with a Lamp Lighting ceremony. Dr. Shah then informed all present about the medical and other community service activities undertaken by BAPS Charities and those available at the Health Fair.

Dr. Benjamin Wu, taking a tour of the Health Fair, was impressed by the scale of the fair and the number of services provided for free or at nominal costs. He remarked that this is a very noble community service. He was impressed by the activities of BAPS Charities and expressed his deep respect for the volunteers who worked day and night for the betterment of the society.

The Community Health Fair is an excellent opportunity for those without adequate Health Insurance to meet a specialist or physician and get a diagnosis done. The various complimentary health services provided this year included physical examinations, Health Risk Evaluations, Vision Evaluation and Glaucoma Testing, Bone Density Testing, Dental Examination, Hearing Tests, Asthma & Respiratory Allergy Examinations, and Colorectal Cancer Awareness and screening. Detailed blood analyses, E K G, Prostrate Cancer Screening were among the reduced priced tests offered. The PG County Sheriff's Office was present to offer complimentary child finger printing for child safety.

Specialists such as Cardiologist, Dentist, Dermatologist, ENT, Pharmacists, Gastroenterologists, Psychiatrist, and Pulmonologist also provided individual consultations and answered questions for Health Fair visitors. Along with medical examinations patients also had the benefit of learning more about their health via information brochures and literature distributed on site. Seminars were also held on Dermatological Health, Depression and Stress Management as well as Breast Cancer Awareness.

In the end Dr. Ramesh Shah thanked all the doctors and the medical technicians for devoting their precious time for such a good cause. They had not only given their valued time on a beautiful Sunday morning but also their own equipment and staff for the Health Fair.