BIS # 1096 DOCTOR – DOCTOR AT MARIA ASHIANA

Chris Valentino sdb
LONAVLA, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008: Maria Ashiana De-Addiction and Therapeutic Centre, hosted a Free Medical Health Camp at its premises on August 30. Doctors and Student-residents from Dr. D. Y. Patil Homeopathic Medical College, Pimpri examined the boys and girls, numbering about seventy five, starting at 9 am and ending at 2 pm Three local NGOs, Snehasadan, Manshakti and Bal Anand Gram also participated in this event along with their wards. Shweta Nagpurkar, corporate psychologist and trainer who is associated with Maria Ashiana initiated this venture along with Dr. Dharmendra Sharma, Principal of the Homeopathic College. The staff and boys at Maria Ashiana made every effort to make this event a memorable possibility. The doctors provided free medication and treated the children with great compassion and responsibility. The Doctors were highly impressed with the entire organizational effort and congratulated the Staff and boys at Maria Ashiana. Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Dr. Sofia Sheikh remarked: “Thanks for inviting us for such a camp. It is our first experience with such children. Normally we don’t interact with the boys and girls found at railway stations or bus-depots, but after this experience we have realized that such medical check-ups are very much needed for these poor children.” Dr. Manish Arya, Dr Deepali Ingle and Dr Indrajeet Shah of the teaching faculty who accompanied the team of doctors too appreciated the type of work being done at Maria Ashiana. Dr Arya said: “Hopefully, you will invite us in future too. Thanks for this wonderful experience. We are touched by the hospitality and the preparations. Moreover the boys are very affectionate.” The boys and girls too liked the doctor uncles and didis, who listened to them and gave medicines free. Some of them said: “Acchae doctor log hain… bade pyaar se hamara ilaaj kiya.” The doctors were visibly moved after this interaction and volunteered to come back more often on a personal visit. Mens sana incorporae sana…. Maria Ashiana has managed to pass on this message to the other local NGOs as well, by organizing Doctor-Doctor!