BY MAHADEV DESAI
Photos by 3rd Eye Photography
Atlanta, GA, October 11, 2024: The Hindu Temple of Atlanta (HTA) has been a beacon of hope for Hindus in Georgia, with 35 years of service to the residents of the state and nearby regions. HTA provides various religious and charitable services to the community, including healthcare camps and homes for the underprivileged, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Under the leadership of HTA President Aravind Goli, Community Services Chair Dr. Sujatha Reddy, and the Executive Committee Team (Ravi Kari, Vice President; Sairam Surapaneni, Secretary; Ravi Chandar, Joint Secretary; Prashanthi Asireddy, President 2021-22; Treasurer Padma Koganti; and Srikanth Kari, Technology Services Committee Chair), these charitable events have been successfully conducted on a grand scale.
HTA hosted the 46th Sai Health Fair at the Hindu Temple in Riverdale, Georgia, on Saturday, September 7, and September 14, 2024. Over 300 people attended the Health Fair for blood tests on September 7, and many took advantage of the free consultations provided by 17 committed and widely respected physicians from 11 specialties, along with nurses, who were assisted by over 30 volunteers on September 14.
A total of 160 people registered online for comprehensive blood tests at a nominal fee of $15, provided by Health Soft USA, under the guidance of Kintu Shah and five phlebotomists. Patients with abnormal test results were advised to take immediate action by contacting their healthcare providers. Forty flu shots were administered by Walgreens’ Dishank Patel.
GAPI President and Cardiologist Dr. Lalitha Medepalli, along with Dr. Devendra R. Koganti, provided heart-related consultations. Other specialists offering valuable consultations included internists Dr. Tulasi Vanapalli, Dr. Jyothi Manaker, Dr. Uday Tata, and Dr. Shyla Prabhakar; endocrinologists Dr. Subramanyam Naidu and Dr. Ramya Srinivasan; gynecologist Dr. Laxman Ramani; gastroenterologist Dr. Kavitha Gopal; orthopedic specialist Dr. Natarajan; dentist Dr. Supriti Balyan; ophthalmologists Dr. Indira Menon and Ravali Gummi; ENT specialist Dr. Rao Nadig; and psychiatrist Dr. Rohini Reddy.
More than 35 EKGs were conducted by Brianna Lewis of Emory Healthcare, while over 14 audio screenings were performed by Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy of Auburn University, Alabama. Additionally, 33 bone-density tests were conducted by Madhu Siddagunta under the supervision of Dr. Sujatha Reddy. Of these, 18 were found to be abnormal (seven cases of osteoporosis and 11 of osteopenia). Uma Kaila assisted with the Bone Marrow Registry.
Homeopathy consultations were provided by Madhavi Kasam. Yoga sessions were enthusiastically led by long-time practitioners and instructors Dr. Trushna Rao Nadig and Dr. Sudhanva Char (author of Yoga Vade Mecum), offering a holistic experience for visitors.
It was heartening to see the Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (GAPI) join forces with HTA and the Sai Health Fair to serve the community. Current GAPI President Dr. Lalitha Medepalli commented, “I thank HTA and Dr. Sujatha Reddy for leading the Health Fair. Our community is fortunate to have such charitable institutions like HTA and the dedicated physicians and volunteers. This year’s two-day event provided crucial health services and allowed student volunteers to shadow physicians, learning hands-on skills such as triage, lab processing, and EKGs. Events like these are vital in promoting health awareness and access to care while also fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Thank you to all who made this possible!”
Tea, a variety of juices, and drinks were provided to all participants, and lunch was served to doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers by HTA.
Health and wellness lifestyle coach and nutritionist Rajitha, who is the current President of GINA, commented, “On behalf of the Georgia Indian Nurses Association, I extend our heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to participate in HTA’s health fair, organized by the Sai Health Fair. It was a wonderful chance for our team to connect with the community and contribute to the promotion of health and wellness. HTA and Dr. Sujatha Reddy’s commitment to providing essential healthcare services is truly commendable, and we are grateful to have been a part of this event. The positive impact of the fair on attendees was evident, and it was a privilege to offer our support. We look forward to future collaborations and are excited about continuing this partnership to advance the health of our communities.”
HTA’s Executive Team commented, “HTA supports the Health Fairs organized by Dr. Sujatha Reddy, offering free consultations aimed at promoting preventive care and community wellness. Participants have access to consultations with specialists, as well as screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, bone density, and EKGs. The current fair, which served over 300 people, was a great success, fostering health awareness and offering valuable medical services to the local community.”
HTA thanked GINA, all the doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers for their tireless efforts in making the Health Fair a grand success. “We are glad to see so many people from all walks of life take advantage of the opportunity to receive free screenings and consultations with medical specialists. HTA has been hosting Sai Health Fairs for a long time and takes pride in serving the community. HTA and Dr. Sujatha Reddy thank the media outlets for event publicity and coverage, and we extend our gratitude to Raghuram Valusani for photography.”
