RIMC No 1 – May 2024 Camp Day 1 & 2

Equipment & Infrastructure : The pathology lab , X ray and toilet are self sufficient post Gopal’s herculean effort. The new reagents for KFT, LFT, Lipid and Glucose monitoring were standardised with the machine and tests were conducted for the same. Dr Malti’s presence went a long way in streamlining the process and equipment.
We were plagued with frequent power outages, to the extent that on the last day no tests ( except RBS ) or X ray could be done. We should seriously consider investing in a generator.


Patient Flow & Ailments: A total of about 150 patients were examined over the course of 2.5 days. An interesting point again was that a lot of Muslim women from a particular village came in large numbers from Day 2 as they came to know only a day later. Dhruv would be in a better position to comment on the patient population but my limited observations were :
-Existing hypertensive and diabetic patients came for tests and also to top up their medication. Overall control on their health parameters even post diagnosis left a lot to be desired. The gratifying part was that they have become repeat patients which was one of the objectives of setting up a localised clinic.
-There was a significantly larger influx of women with a median age of about 50 years. Body and joint pain from years of wear and tear and menstrual ailments were the key issues observed.
-One case of COPD was detected.


Medicines : Our supply of hypertensives ( Telmesartan 40) and statins ( Atorvastatin 10/20) was insufficient to start with and we had to purchase a reasonable amount locally despite which we had to turn away some patients.
We had enough stock of Sitagliptin/ Metformin but a lot of it is expiring soon which has been brought back to Delhi.
A lot of antibiotics like Augmentin, Doxycycline, Cefidixime, Azithromycin, Metronidazole were distributed which were accompanied by antacids and PPI’s like Ranitidine and Pan 40.
Febustat for Uric acid ailments was prescribed and we ran out of it on the last day
Vaginal presseries, Pregabalin combination and Lullicanazole cream were prescribed and that stock is almost over. Near expiry Lullicanazole cream has been brought back.
Macro Perspective: We have fully committed and embedded ourselves in the Jadipani location.
Infrastructure has been established in terms of leasing and sprucing up the facilities ,setting up a contemporary path lab and state of the art X ray machine.
There is a significant amount of local support and tremendous respect for our efforts.Gopal’s presence significantly contributes to that image.
Boarding and lodging has been committed by one of the magnanimous supporters at a very reasonable cost.
I strongly feel that we now need to commit to this long term vision which is underway than follow a piecemeal approach.

  • Medicines need to be purchased planning for a year ( 6 activities) with a long expiry period so that we are not scrambling at the eleventh hour
    This saves both time and money.
  • Identify and commit 2 doctors from our existing pool for the activity. This ensures continuity and consistency on delivery. Outside doctors cannot empathize or relate to our approach and will the defeat the purpose of our being

Total Count for the Day 1 => 41

Total Count for the Day 2 => 71

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