BAPS Charities Health Fair in Lilburn INSPIRES wellness &
PREVENTION
The thought of periodic health check-ups is daunting for many.
Recognizing the need to promote early detection and prevention
to support the wellness of communities, BAPS Charities organized
the 15th annual community health fair in Lilburn, Georgia on
Saturday, June 23 2012.
Offering a range of services and information, the healthcare saw
over 110 volunteer healthcare professionals in attendance
including physicians, pharmacists, dentists and nurses.
Specialties in the fields of pediatrics, gynecology, cardiology,
dermatology and endocrinology were also on hand and all together,
provided personal consultations to over 800 visitors.
“Events like the BAPS Charities Health Fair provide
an opportunity to bring awareness to our communities,” said Dr.
Manisha Kapasi, physical therapist, “By educating patients
within the community we can help them realize what they can do to
improve their health.”
All of the participants received preliminary
physical examinations and had their blood pressure, blood sugar
level and body mass index measured. “High sugar intake,
cholesterol levels and blood pressure can be fatal,” said Dr.
Amita Parikh, a primary care physician who volunteered at the
fair. She added, “Many patients that I saw today were not even
aware that they had these problems. By coming to the BAPS
Charities Health Fair, we were able to screen these patients so
they can be aware of these risk factors. We can guide and educate
these patients to prevent futures health problems.”
“Ioriginally came as it is an affordable way to meet with a
primary healthcare physician,” said Ashra Chagni, a health fair
participant from Dunwoody, Georgia. “They told me that I was at
risk for high cholesterol and recommended that I talk to one of
the nutritionists. It was convenient and helpful to be able to
talk to the nutritionist at the health fair and learn what I
could to lower my cholesterol.”
Many people in the United States do not seek healthcare for fear
of not being able to afford it. BAPS Charities aims to create a
new culture of preventative health care among South Asians and
the greater community through interactive health fairs and
educational seminars, which supplement government healthcare
programs by raising awareness and providing information about
alternative healthcare options.
In attendance for the 2012 Health Fair was Mr. Ashok
Kumar,Deputy Consul General of the Indian Consulate in Atlanta.
He commented, “Thiskind of community effort is important to the
Indo-American people. I congratulate BAPS Charities that they
have organized such a wonderful event.”
In 2011, BAPS Charities organized 44 such events throughout
North
America. In total, 2,588 health care professionals from
local communities treated nearly 13,872 participants across the
nation. Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs,
walkathons, education and career development seminars, disaster
relief operations, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities
sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life
of individuals and families.
About BAPS Charities
BAPS Charities is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit international
charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by
caring for individuals, families, and communities. It is
affiliated with BAPS as anindependent charity and social
services arm. The 55,000 BAPS volunteers networked in over 3,300
centers around the world provide over 12 million volunteer-hours
of service annually.
Among social service charities, BAPS Charities is a
well-respected and trusted name. It has amassed over 50 years of
firsthand experience in initiating, managing, and sustaining 160
humanitarian operations throughout the world in such diverse
fields as: medical services, environmental services,
community services, tribal services, and disaster relief
services.
For additional information on BAPS Charities and its
international and local philanthropic activities, please visit
www.bapscharities.org
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