Thank you from Wendy IDEX fellow

I was placed with Aaorgayseva as part of my 6 month IDEX fellowship.  Time has flown so quickly.   When I first came I thought there would be so much time to do so many things.  Yes we did achieve a lot during my time here though there is still much to be done.

The highlight of my time here was having the opportunity to join the 2016 AIPNO Medical Yatra.  It was a different way to see the country, meet the locals and make new friends.  It was an unforgettable time where we all had to be flexible, creative and patient with limited supplies and language barriers. The thing about the Yatra is that it is not just about going out there and helping community it also included a visit to a girls boarding school, a women's empowerment project and Republic Day Festivities whilst staying in an Ashram. The other volunteers were an inspiration especially given that large majority were in their late 60s and had been doing this for the past 10 years and will continue to do so as long as they are able. 

I am really proud that I took the leap to come to India.  To anyone considering a move from what they know I certainly say do it.  I feel that unless and until you challenge yourself and do what you fear you don’t really give yourself a chance to learn, grow and really know who you are.  It is in those times of worries and insecurity we realise just what is most important to us.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their warm hospitality and hope that our paths will cross again. I look forward to being updated on what Aarogayseva is doing both in India and around the world. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Charanya Kaushik, USA 23 May - 20 July 2016

Charanya is pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology at UTHealth in Houston, Texas. Her research interest focuses on improving healthcare access and quality for underprivileged populations. Prior to starting her MPH program, she taught high school chemistry and coached tennis with Teach for America in Harlingen, Texas. A Native of Pittsburgh, PA, Charanya graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a double-major in Cell & Molecular Biology and Spanish. Charanya will work with Aarogya Seva for two months to investigate TB and HIV co-infection at Accept, a HIV care center on the outskirts of Bangalore.

World Blood Donor Day 14th June

This year's the theme is “Blood Connects us all”.

WHO began celebrating World Blood Donor day in 2004 to 

1.  recognise and thank blood donors around the world
2. raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products 

June 14th was chosen as World Blood Donor Day to recognise birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner. 

Karl Landsteiner

Karl Landsteiner is an Austrian American biologist and physician who won the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of human blood groups.   However this is not his only contribution to medicine, Karl Landsteiner working with Constantin Levaditi and Erwin Popper discovered the polio virus in 1909. His Nobel Prize award ceremony speech can be found here: here .

Interestingly, there are stark differences in who receives donations in different countries - 76% of all transfusions in high income countries go to those over 65 years whilst 65% of donations in low income countries are given to children under 5.

For high income countries blood transfusions are used for massive trauma, supportive care in cardiovascular and transplant surgeries and in the treatment of solid and haematological malignancies.   Pregnancy related complications, childhood malaria complicated by anaemia and trauma are the most common reasons for blood transfusions in low and middle income countries. 

As voluntary unpaid donors have the lowest prevalence of blood borne infections adequate and reliable supply of safe blood needs to be from a stable base of regular, voluntary unpaid blood donors.  Though 73 countries collect 90% of their blood from this source 72 countries still collect more than 50% of their supply from family/replacement or paid donors. 

Some other facts about blood donations

• Blood donation by 1% of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements for blood
• 62 countries collect 100% of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid blood donors
• Blood donation rates vary from 3.9 donations per 1000 population in low income countries to 36.8 donations in high income countries 

• 108 million blood donations are collected globally every year with only 50% from low and middle income countries where 80% of the population lives 
• Unfortunately there are still 25 countries who are not able to screen all donated blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis prior to transfusions 
• Blood can be separated into various components to benefit several patients 

So on World Blood Donor Day please share life and give blood.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

International Albinism Awareness Day 13/6

"There is no room in this 21st century for erroneous and harmful beliefs, or for discrimination on any grounds. People with albinism are just as deserving of dignity as every other human being. They have the right to live free from discrimination, deprivation and fear."

ZEID RA'AD AL HUSSEINUN High Commissioner for Human Rights

June 13th 2015 was the first time International Albinism Awareness Day was celebrated. This came about through active campaigning from various organisations and the increased violent attacks on persons with albinism particularly in Africa. 

To see a moving story go here:

It is noted however that this is not an isolated condition for this region.  

Albinism results in lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes causing increased sensitivity to the sun and also visual impairments.  It is an inherited rare non contagious genetic disease which occurs worldwide regardless of background and gender.   Exact data on prevalence is uncertain unfortunately partly due to the stigma and discrimination faced.

To see the Message by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein:

This quote from Zeid Ra'Ad Al Hussein speech highlights the challenges: 

"In some parts of the world, people with albinism may also suffer horrific, and sometimes lethal, atrocities. Civil society activists have reported that hundreds of people with albinism – a majority of them children – have been killed, mutilated or otherwise attacked in at least 25 African countries, because of the belief that their body parts confer magical powers. More cases remain undocumented because of the isolation of the victims, the secrecy surrounding ritual practices, and indifference. Shockingly, such crimes have seldom been investigated or prosecuted"

So today lets celebrate diversity and promote inclusion for all.

To test how much you know about human rights of people with albinism go here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Aravani Art Project

If you’re in Mumbai this Friday and Saturday please drop by to say hi Poornima Sukumar and help out on the Aravani Art Project.

Aarogyaseva is proud and excited to sponsor and support The Aravani Art Project on this initiative in association with Humsafar Trust.

Poornima is the Aarogyaseva artist in residence and she started the Aravani Art Initiative.   You will remember that for International Women's Day in March Poornima was one of the artists who beautifully decorated our now open free clinic in Jayanagar Bangalore Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

The Aravani Art Project aims to use art as a medium to bring the community together with particular emphasis on inclusion of the transgender community.   They have been doing projects across India most recently in Bangalore.   

Poornima first became involved in the transgender community through working on a documentation with Tabs Breese and wanted to stay connected and involved afterwards.   Her aim is to eventually expand the project across the world to give the third gender a voice and to encourage acceptance across the world.

Aravani Art Project has also been featured in The Hindu and Good.

If you want to find out more and support please head to their Facebook page.

It’s not too late to help! They are still after artists, scaffolding builders, buskers and magic markers.  Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated including just dropping by to say hi.

Aravani Art Project is also going to Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata.   We'll let you know when it does. 

Don’t forget we’re also looking for more volunteers for our clinic Mahadohi Aarogayseva Kendra in Bangalore.   So drop us a line at Volunteer @aarogyaseva.org

We look forward to sharing some photos next week on the event.  Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org