Lowering Diabetes with a Plant with LEADers Vinay and Shubham

In India many patients are suffering from diabetes, and every year 10% of diabetes patients in each state are losing their life. The conditions are even worse in that most of the patients can’t afford medicines for cure of this disease. In case of diabetes, the body lost its repairing and healing capacity which is a major threat in this disease. It can be genetic also if proper care has not been maintained.  

Observing the worst condition of medical facilities for such a threatening disease, LEADer Shubham with LEADer Vinay Chandra from Varanasi, students of Banaras Hindu University, have taken an incredible initiative for the betterment of patients who are suffering from diabetes. Their interest in medical field inspires them to do for the sake of the patients. They started researching from different resources to look for how they can provide medicines at a low cost and make easily available.

Their continuous effort and research came with an incredible reward as they came to know that a herbal plant “stevia rebaudiana” which can act as a non-caloric natural sweetener... like a blessing from nature for sweetness-loving human beings. These steviosides have a negligible effect on blood glucose, which makes stevia attractive to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets.  

LEADers Shubham and Vinay have shown their active leadership by starting in search of this plant species. They visited many botanical gardens and nurseries and finally they got 50 pieces of this plant species and found a village particularly for this project. There in village they encourage,  explain and motivate farmers as well as local people about merits and applications of that plant. Villagers and local people have appreciated this project and supported these leaders in planting of stevia plants and have started crops. They have also planted 60 sets of antioxidant herbal plants (tulsi, neem, lemon, ginger, and garlic) and some flowers-based plants so that it also help farmers to generate income in the off seasons. 

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”  

Albert Einstein

Caring for Villagers' Hearts by LEADer Thirupati Reddy

Thirupati Reddy, a LEADer from Government Polytechnic College, Rajagopalpet, Siddipet, learned in a LEAD workshop that we could help him turn his ideas into action.

Each day he was seeing many people in his village and nearby villages taking medicines for heart problems, but there was no proper equipment nearby to check the heart patients.

He decided to take action, and hoped to take care of 4-5 patients check up. Instead, he found many many more who need help. Therefore, he came up with an idea of a free medical clinic camp with heart check up/treatment.

With help from seven doctors from Prime Hospital in Hyderabad, he organized and executed the medical camp. While he asked friends for support, not one friend showed up. However, he was not swayed and he led the health clinic successfully and confidently. 201 patients benefitted from heart check-ups, blood pressure check-ups, sugar check-ups, and general check-ups as well as free medicine.

Even without a surpanch or friends to support him, Tirupathi's project was a success and villagers appreciated him for his concern.

 

LEader Akhil Surveys Problems in Nizamabad Government Hospital

In Nizamabad, there is only one hospital to care for everyone. LEader Akhil had caught wind of issues at the one and only hospital, such as a lack of daily cleaning and water facilities, and instances of patients getting mixed up. He decided he wanted to learn more about what was actually going on in this hospital. Akhil, along with Harshitha, Saketh, Navanitha, Sravan, Prashanth (SSR, NDC, VREC, KCEA) decided to survey the admitted patients in the hospital, to find the inside scoop on what the problems are, and how they could solve them. They first obtained permission from the Charge, who allowed them to survey in 3 of the 4 wards (the 4th was in bad condition). They discussed the hospital’s problems with over 50 people, in the process learning how to interview strangers and gaining ideas of how to make the hospital a better place.

Project: First Aid Box

Shweta Gudshi (HSIT, Nidasoshi)

The HSIT Girls Hostel lacked a first aid kit, a basic, yet necessary item to have in case of any emergency.  To provide a first aid kit for the girls hostel, Shweta raised Rs. 300 from the hostel girls to purchase a first aid it. 

Shweta said that most girls in the hostel were supportive of her efforts.  Shweta improved her communication skills and is now less hesitant to take on new initiatives. 

Project: Health Awareness Camp

Asha and Akshatha (GMIT)

Asha and Akshatha felt very concerned about health issues in children from slum areas.  To create health awareness for slum children, Asha and Akshatha organized and hosted a Health Awareness Camp in Harihar for over 200 children.  Dr. Raghavendra Durgoji attended as a guest lecturer and taught the children about basic First Aid, health, hygiene, and emergency health care.  Dr. Durgoji's ability made the camp very enjoyable for the children.  As a result of the Health Awareness Camp, the children are more health conscious.  

The Health Awareness Camp became also became the center of media attraction; details of the camp were published in two different newspapers.  

Project: Arogyam

Chidanand N (A.S.S. College of Business Administration)

Chidanand noticed that many people were unaware of their current health status.  To remedy this, he organized a health camp, in honor of World Health Day, to give people the opportunity to receive an accurate health check up.  Two doctors from Lakshmeshwar assisted in the health camp.  More than 80 people attended the health camp and benefitted from the check ups. Several important dignitaries from Lakshmeshwar also attended. 

Implementing this project helped Chidanand learn about event planning and organization.  Additionally, his communication and public speaking skills improved.   

Project: First Aid for the Poor

Pankaj (SKSVMACET)

Pankaj noticed that village residents lacked basic and important training in First Aid.  To improve this, Pankaj distributed first aid kits to several families throughout the village.  He educated the families on the importance of First Aid and taught them basic First Aid skills. 20 village families have benefitted from Pankaj's project.  

Project: Health Check Up Camp

LEADer: Imran Basha

Location: Turcigattha village

College:  Davangere University Msw Dept

Imran Basha from the MSW Dept, Davangere University conducted a health check up camp at Turcigattha village. He observed that many of the villagers suffer from illnesses. So, he took initiative to solve their problem. He collaborated with a government hospital. In this camp more than 150 villagers participated  & got benefit.

Project: Health Checkup Camp and Awareness Camp at Old Age Home

Manoj (SKSVMACET)

Manoj was concerned about the treatment that elderly people were receiving at old age homes, claiming that the elderly were not experiencing a “homely” environment.  To help with this, Manoj organized a health checkup camp at an old age home called Shanthi Dhama that houses 40 elderly people.  Manoj’s health camp provided medicine to help people with serious diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and Gangrene.  Additionally, Manoj convinced several of the families to relocate their elderly family members back to their homes.  

Project: Drainage Cleaning

Leader Name: Imran Ali

Location: Harihar

College:  Davangere University, MSW Dept.

Imran Ali from Davangere University observed the problem in Harihar. Many of the places were not cleaned, and because of this reason people face health problem. So, he decided to do this project. He discussed with local people then he approached the corporation. After that they agreed to come and clean the drains. Also he convinced the local people to take care of the surrounding area.

Project: Medoffordable

LEADer: Laxmi Hosetti 

College: Jain College of Engineering

The main objective of this project was to create awareness amongst people living in slums about the low cost, "generic medicines". The underprivileged people miss their one time meal if they go to a doctor and purchase medicines prescribed by the doctor at any of the medical stores. This project was meant to draw the attention of these underprivileged to go for the low cost medicines. The team was successful in making them understand the good side of the government's perspective of lending help through this generic medicine counter. Now people are aware of this low cost drug counter at Janatha Bazaar, Civil Hospital, Belgaum. Laxmi learnt that it is very hard to convince people about something that they are not aware of, but if one is dedicated and determined, you can easily make them understand your motive.

Project: Blood Donation Camp

LEADer: Pawan

Location: RNS Polytechnic College, Sirsi

On 15 September 2012 LEADer Pawan from RNS polytechnic college celebrated Engineers Day by conducting a  blood donation camp in his college with the collaboration of CDTP. 500 students participated in this camp. 

Project: Diabetes Check Up and Awareness

LEADer: Sujay and Chidanand 

Location: BVBCET, Hubli 

This team took initiative to run a diabetes checkup and awareness camp. On 20^th November they conducted a camp in association with LEAD and Asha Heart and Diabetes Foundation Suttor Medical Care in RHK Hall at the BVB campus. More than 700 people got benefit out of this camp.  

Project: Health Checkup at Old Age Home

LEADer: Nagaraj B. B. (Manoj)

At the old age home of Lakshmeshwar, this LEAD team ran a health checkup for the elderly as their project. As team LEADer Manoj stated: “We all know that our dear parents are main backbone of our life; as we grow we neglect them which leads them to a new home that itself called as old age home. After getting them into old age home they won’t come back to see their parents at least for once in a year also they don’t get any worry regarding their parents health at all so this might lead for the occurrence of diseases.” Team leader Nagaraj B B (Manoj) took the initiative with his team of “The Spartans Of Lead”. They first got the permission of the old age home authority  andon the day Dr. N. S. Kallimani helped a lot. “Without him this project had not got any meaning and also local people helped us a lot in each & every point,” said Manoj.

By this project the elders present at old age home the team found that the elders had got diseases like gangrene, diabetes, eye sight problems others.

By this project the team made the awareness of responsibility of each & every person regarding their parents by the guidance of Ajay Suman Shukla, Dr. S.V.Gorbal, Mahendra Hullur & Vijay Matti.

By this project we got the blessings for our team by those elders & we just little succeeded to make to meet them to their family.

Project: Blood Donation

LEADer: Sushma  Kalagudi
Team Members: Snehal Vasant Kadolkar, Onkar C. Salamwade, Amit Vadoni, Vinay Katamble           

Place of project implementation: Maratha Mandal Engineering College

The objective is to give an opportunity to our students to show their care for others. Any healthy person between the age of 18 and 50 years can give blood. Giving blood is one of the kindest and most generous acts that one human being can do for another. Blood cannot be manufactured. It has to come from another human being to save the life of another. Because of volunteer blood donors, thousands of accident victims and those who need surgery are alive today.

The blood is usually drawn from the median cubital vein, from the inside of the elbow. An antiseptic such as iodine is used to clean the skin above this vein. This helps to prevent bacterial infection at the site of puncture and also helps to prevent the blood drawn site from being infected.

A tourniquet is used to elevate the blood pressure in the veins of the arm. This helps to ease and speed up the process. Sometimes the donor is given an object to squeeze repeatedly in order to increase blood flow to the targeted vein. Invariably a needle with a larger gauge is used in order to minimize the shearing forces that can cause damage to the RBC's.

A mild sting may be experienced when the needle is inserted, but there should be no pain during the donation. 

Project: Blood Donation Camp

Team LEADer: Nikhil. C. Hiremath

Location: KLEIT

Blood is most essential nowadays because of many accidents and operations that are happening, and there is no other medicine that we can replace blood with. Daily 1 out of 100 people die due to scarcity of blood, so Nikhil thought of organizing a blood donation camp in his college to save lives by donating blood. He called Rashtrothan blood band for the camp, his college principal and faculty students supported a lot and made the camp successful. 75 students donated blood.

Project: BMI Determination

LEADer: Priya Huilgol
Project Implementation Place: Siddaroud blind school, Hubli

Determination Of Body Mass Index (BMI) using height and weight values of an individual.

Project Description: BMI calculates fat content in the body and ensures proper development if the value is normal. The project was done in Siddaroud blind school, Hubli. The team measured height and weight of 120 children. A chart of BMI vs. age was prepared. Students were classified as underweight, normal, and obese. The report was submitted to the school authorities, so they take special care of th

e children. 
A team of four left for the blind school on the morning of 13^th November, 2009. We first headed for the SDM College Of Dental Sciences to make the arrangements for the medical van and doctors. A bus with all the medical equipments installed and a team of 5 doctors accompanied us to the blind school.

BMI is "Body Mass Index". It tells you whether your body weight is appropriate for your height.

BMI = Weight in kilograms / (Height in meters) 2

BMI is a gross estimate for the amount of fat in your body. It tells you whether you need to lose weight or not.

"The blind school is situated in old Hubli. With the cooperation of the principal and staff members of the school we could carry on our proceedings smoothly. We were enchanted by the skills of the students studying at the blind school...just to mention a 5 year old girl Anjal could recite an entire 5-6 mins. speech before us. The place were the students slept, studied, and worked was all outstandingly well-kept,which the principle told they did themselves. We started at around 11 a.m. The students were asked to fill out a medical checkup form on which their names and ages were written with a signature of approval of the principal.We not only achieved our goal but we crossed several other milestones. The project helped us build moral values and ethics. Each and every one of us was influenced by this project. We thank the people of Despande Foundation for their help and support and the principal and faculty members of the blind school."

Project: General Health Check Up & Free Medicine Program

LEADer: Rashmi

Project Implementation Date: 13/09/09

Project Implementation Place: Slums Near Heggeri Hubli

Project Description: "We the students of AMV Hubli came up with the idea to teach the importance of health and hygiene to the people living in the slums near Heggeri, Hubli. The program was implanted on 13/09/09.
To implement this project we came up with an idea to conduct a survey of the whole area and informed them to attend the“General health check up & free medicine program”.
The survey reached out to around 250 houses in the slums and gave information about the program and to attend on 13/09/09.
By doing this we ensured a good response from the people. Around 80 patients were treated by providing them medicine for three days and given information on how to live hygienically in daily life.