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By Dr. Mike Murrell Thanks to a Rotary grant, I completed my second volunteer trip to Hemalkasa, India in the fall of 2008, Lok Biradari Prakalp is a camp founded by the Amte family (contemporaries of Ghandi) in 1973. Carved out of the jungle of central India, this enclave now includes a residential school for 650, a hospital with 45,000 patient visits per year, a paid and volunteer staff of 100+, and a steady flow of visitors who come to observe this unique community. All medical and dental treatment is provided at no charge.
Krishna Sharma (dental intern from India) at Sunrise Rotary All: Krishna and I had a great time together. Our "chance" meeting was all due to Rotary. Thank you. Mike Funding is an ongoing challenge. Much is done with very little. The Madia Gond, the native inhabitants of central India, did not wear clothing or receive any type of education or medical care prior to establishment of this project. Exploitation by encroaching civilization only compounded existing problems including high infant mortality, malnutrition and a dismal life expectancy. Through education, medical care and agricultural training, the Madias now have a chance. A two-room dental clinic adjoins the hospital. This Rotary International service site allows volunteer dentists exposure to this unique civilization. The dental equipment resembles an American dental office from the 1960’s. Historically, the only treatment was for relief of pain, most often tooth extraction. Gradually, restorative and preventive services are being added. The three basic patient populations include: 1) The on site school students 2) The staff of the camp 3) Tribals and other locals who hear via the grapevine that the dentist is in They will walk up to 30km to sit and wait all day in the hope of being treated. All patients at Hemalkasa are stoic, polite, appreciative and incredibly respectful. Many will bow to touch my feet as they leave following treatment. Recently, dental interns from Indian dental schools are selected to work with the volunteering dentist. This unique arrangement provides expanded clinical training to the interns, assistance and translation for the dentist, and much needed dental care to the patients. It is a wonderful collaborative effort, a win-win situation for all involved. I return from Hemalkasa with heart-felt memories and a wonderful sense of fulfillment. I have met and now count as friends some of the most dedicated humanitarians on the face of the earth. I return to Marshfield with a wider worldview. And that view is hopeful. |
