BY MAHADEV DESAI

The 22nd SAI Health Fair, held at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale Georgia, on Saturday, June 27, 2009 elicited a huge response. The Health Fair, as always, was spearheaded by well-known physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy and was organized in honor of Fathers’ Day; as a tribute to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and also to promote his and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophies of Non-violence, community service and Social justice. The event was sponsored by the Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA), Sneham Charity Organization and co-sponsored by The Hindu Temple of Atlanta. 

On the sunny Saturday morning, over 300 people of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests services provided by 28 dedicated physicians representing 18 specialties, 13 nurses and 5 EKG technicians and over 45 service-oriented volunteers who attended to the various health related concerns of the people after they registered for blood tests, free EKGs; free glaucoma screenings; preventive Cardiology tests, free Bone Density tests to detect osteoporosis and Free Consultancy in, dermatology, endocrinology, Internal Medicine, homeopathic medicine, Cardiology, Pediatrics, ENT, gastroenterology, urology, ophthalmology, physical therapy, chronic pain,and Vascular Surgery. Endocrinology, Gynecology, Physical Rehab Medicine.

Many, including elderly and disabled people, lined-up as early as 7.45 a.m. The spacious and well- lit hall and rooms in the Educational Building and below in the Banquet Hall had neatly laid out tables, where over 230 EKGs (male and female) were carried out, by Southern Heart Specialists, Riverdale, Georgia for males, and Dr.Tulasi Vanapalli- Tec Jonesboro,Georgia, and Atlanta Heart Associates,Fayetteville, Georgia for females. Dr.Reecha Revalu carried out over 40 Cardiovascular Risk Assessment tests, and also education and advice on diabetes,anti-smoking and nutrition. Over 90 vision and Glaucoma screening tests were done(12 Glaucoma); by Dr. Indira Menon from the Eye physicians and surgeons, Decatur, Georgia . Bone Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand About 50 plus bone-density tests were performed by Madhusudhana Siddagunta, .Roger Allen and Elizabeth Allen. Blood tests too were in big demand. Over 280 cost –effective, basic quality comprehensive Chemistry profile of blood tests with PSA, and HBA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $15 per test. The lab work was provided by the Medical Center of Central Georgia Lab., Macon. It is noteworthy that the results of the blood work were mailed within 48 hours! The test results helped identify some life threatening results which were immediately notified to the participants. 

SAI Health Fair arranged for the complimentary breakfast for participants, doctors, nurses and volunteers. Whereas delicious lunch for all the doctors, nurses, health care professionals and volunteers, was provided by Jacqueline Wright, Sean Sims and Larry Jones from Tropical Smoothie, while Fruit trays, water bottles, cookies were provided by Charter Anchor Hospital, Forest Park, Georgia. SAI Health Fair publicity and coverage was carried by Khabar magazine; India Abroad, Little India, Nripulse.com, wownow.com and Atlantadunia.com. In addition, presidents of several local Associations also helped to notify their members about the Health Fair. Digital video and Photography services were provided by Mahadev Desai, as well as Venkatesh arranged by TAMA.

Dr, Baiza Muhammad, of Holistic Wellness Movement with volunteers Terri and Sandra Gentry had set up a table, where to mark the National Health Care Day of Service; they were kindly handing out brown bags containing organic fruit from NewLife Horizon House to all SAI Health Fair attendees.

At a brief appreciation ceremony, a frail old lady Vishnu Maya, who is the mother-in-law of Tulsi Ghimirey from Bhutan, presented Pashmina Shawls to Dr.Sujatha Reddy, Dr.Indira Menon and Dr. Deepa Nagarajan for arranging to perform an urgent eye-surgery which prevented her going blind. In a moving speech, Tulsi thanked these three physicians and exhorted fellow Bhutanese to volunteer their services to the community. Responding Dr.Reddy echoed Tulsi’s remarks and urged the attendees to remember to give back to the community in whichever way they can.


Marissa Sequeira, who lives in Atlanta, and is a Yoga instructor, had brought her 77 year old mother Mary D’Souza, who has the honor to be the first woman to represent India in World Cup Hockey, at the Helsinki Olympics. Mary also sprinted at the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1948 and second Asian Games in Manila where she won a Gold Medal in relay race. Mary has the distinction of representing India in two disciplines and is a proud All –India record holder for 100, and 200 meters and 80 meters hurdles. She also competed in table-tennis and badminton. Marissa lauded Dr.Sujatha Reddy and the Sai Health Fair for helping her mother Mary, who is visiting the family from Mumbai, with various check-up tests.

Former President of the HTA, Dr.P.Ravi Sarma complimented Dr.Reddy for organizing quarterly Sai Health Fairs for the community. Sai Health Fair has especially been of great help for the 2400 Bhutanese refugees in Metro Atlanta who have arrived at a time when the country is going through the worst economic crisis. SEWA International, under the leadership of Srikanth Konda, and Swadesh Katoch, along with Art of Living Foundation’s Abhay Joshi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Mrs.Sneha Mehta have helped over 150 Bhutanese refugees, with transportation. Veteran Womens Organization under Joanne Tucker has also been of great help in providing refreshments. Dr.Sarma urged members of the Bhutanese and Nepali communities to volunteer in increasing numbers in grassroots outreach events. 

Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked the Hindu Temple of Atlanta for providing the accommodation and help to stage the Health Fair; Dr. Reddy for providing lodging at Sleep Inn and suites, Riverdale for out of town nurses and also for providing dinner on Friday, for out-of-town nurses. She further thanked supporting sponsors; the team of physicians, nurses, students and dedicated volunteers who together helped make the Health Fair a big success. She also thanked Rama and Vardhana, Bhalla family-UK for supporting the SAI Health Fair. The mission of the SAI Health Fairs is to create an awareness of the importance of preventive health care among the public-detection, prevention and cure. “Cure the patient today and protect the community tomorrow. Too often we hear of illness that could have been prevented if it had been detected earlier” is its guiding motto. 

SAI Health Fairs are shining beacons of outreach of medical services and vehicles of social service and welfare for the disabled, aged, and needy and neglected in the society. Inspired by Dr.Reddy’s compassion, dedication and commitment, many selfless physicians, Health Care professionals, volunteers, Community and Faith-based organizations have joined their hands in successfully staging these Health Fairs. Most of the physicians, nurses and volunteers on her team have been participating over and over again. 

Restless and driven, self-effacing Dr. Reddy is a living proof that even one person can make a difference. She has perceived the acute need for such Health Fairs, in view of the rising numbers of people without health insurance and is striving relentlessly to contribute all she can in meeting the immense need in current phase of economic downturn. She is already planning for the next Health Fairs on September 26 at the Global Mall.