AWARENESS camp at BHUJ on 5th Sep 2009

About BHUJ

Bhuj has an average elevation of 110meters (360feet). On the eastern side of the town is a hill known as Bhujiyo that separates Bhuj and Madhapar village. Bhuj, the major town of Kutch, is an old walled city- in the past the city gates were locked each night from dusk to dawn. You can lose yourself for hours in the intricate maze-like streets and alleyways of this fascinating town. There are walls within walls, attractive crenellated gateways, old palaces with intricately carved wooden pavilions, and striking, brightly decorated Hindu temples. Bhuj resembles much of India before the tourist invasion, and you're much more likely to come across that disarming hospitality which was once the hallmark of rural India. Unfortunately if there has been no monsoon, the picturesque lake remains dry.Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping of handicraft work. Artists of nearby villages bring their art work for sale in Bhuj. Important landmarks for people wishing to study and know more about Kutch embroidery are Shrujan, Kutch MahilaVikasSangathan (KMVS), Kalaraksha and Women Artisans' Marketing Agency (WAMA).

BHUJ Camp

Bhuj city is located in remote and deserted area of Kutch, where proper medical facilities for a normal person is not available. So thinking about muscular dystrophy and their affected people were seems to be a task that was impossible to achieve. But we decided to make this impossible- possible. To create awareness and to reach out to MD people at the far-most with this aim we planned BHUJ Camp.

Formal Function

The camp was started with the formal function. The chief guest was Dr. S. K. Bheda, CDMO, Bhuj. Other dignitaries were Dr. GyaneshwarRao, H’ble Director KCRC, Dr. Varsha BenDholakia, Pediatrician, Dr. Priya, Visiting Faculty, KCRC, Mr. ArindamRai , Manager KCRC, Bhuj.

The function started with lighting up the Diya by Dr. Bheda, Dr. Rao, Dr. Dholakia, Dr. Priya, Mr. Arindam, Ms. Nishtha, Sis. Sofia.Then Ms. Nishtha, Gujarat Chapter Head, welcomed all dignitaries and invitees. She throws light on the aim of the camp and then IAMD in brief.

Doctor session

After the inauguration function Dr. GyanshwarRao started doctor session. In this, he gave full detail about “What is MD”, types and treatment and precaution to be taken in a very correct and effective way. All those who were present, enjoyed and understand about muscular dystrophy in this very simple way. His way of presentation was very easy to understand for common people.

IAMD Presentation

After breakfast one of the main important sessions was taken by Ms.Nishtha Thaker and Mr. Krishna. It started with the detailed information about the formation of IAMD, its journey, milestones since 1992 to 2009, different projects of IAMD, and ended with the future plans of IAMD. Then Mr. Krishna took up the responsibility of the presentation and gave full detail information about achievers of IAMD and other things related to the camp.

Physiotherapy Consultation

Physiotherapy is most important for proper management of patients to prolong the progress of disease and to keep them healthy and active to the best possible level. Then,we started one of the other most important sessions. In this session, one to one counseling by Ms. Ramila, Ms. Ridhi,Ms.Vijya Ben. They provided valuable suggestions to MD affected person and their parents.

Session on Law

A complete section on law related with the legal rights and privileges for the disabled was organization. It was hosted Ms. Nishtha and Mr. Krishna. A good amount of awareness regarding legal issues was passed on to the all participants and guardians who came up with different queries. It was a very informative session for the participants and proved quite important for the general awareness of parents as well as their patients. In this session, details were given regarding Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the PWD Act1995 and National Trust Act 1999.

Blood Collection for KCRC

Blood sample were collected, for which the reports of collected diagnosis will be send to the participants later on. Most of the participants were unaware of their types of Muscular Dystrophy.

One to one counselling sessions

Between the session, as per time convenience, Ms. Nishtha and Mr. Krishna took one to one counseling for parents and person living with muscular dystrophy. In this session Mrs. Neelaben, a professional psychologist, who had come from Anand helpedus, who is also living with MD.

Musical entertainment and dance

All necessary arrangements of entertainment were there. A Musical System was arranged. All participants along with their parents and volunteers fully enjoyed it. No one was left alone and they had great fun by doing dance.

Mr.Krishna actively participated in this session where he personally encourages all the children to dance and also danced with them. Apart from this, participants were encouraged to sing, recite poems, share experiencesandtell jokes and for that, they got prizes by which all the children were very happy.

Conclusion

At the end of the camp, the aim behind organizing a camp- that is to creat awareness give right positive attitude to parents and patients and to start a new relationship was clearly seen achieved by their glowing face.

Vote of thanks

  • Mr. B. Punani, (Director, BPA, A’bad)
  • Dr. S.K. Bheda (CDMO), Bhuj
  • Dr. GyaneshwarRao (Director), Dr. VarshabenDholakia(Pediatrician),Mr. Arindam Ray (Manager), Mrs. ChaniThakker, Mr. ArvindGohil, Ms. RameelabenJadeja, Mrs. RiddhiandKCRCTeam, Bhuj
  • FATHER Jorge Kunnat and SISTER Sofie, KVT Trust, Bhuj
  • “MahitiMitra”, Principal of PremNiwas School and Anganbadi, Gram Panchayat of Lodai and Dhori villages.
  • Chetna, Prem and all of them, who support us.