Charities – Medical Assistance
Free Medical Camps
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- Free medical clinic examination
By providing free medical screening, diagnosis and treatment, SSGT has addressed and treated many diseases. Direct intervention and preventative education have improved the overall standard of health in and around the surrounding villages in Andhra Pradesh. During these clinics, western doctors from Germany, Austria, and the US have collaborated with local government doctors, donating their time and service to support the SSGT mission.
Navya Sri Eye Clinic
- Free eye operation performed in Navya Sri Eye Clinic
As early as 2001, SSGT has been conducting free medical eye camps to the poor villagers in India. In November of that year, it had operated on over 1,000 patients inflicted with many ocular disorders. All patients were provided food, accommodations, transportation and glasses free of cost.
In 2007, with the support of SSGT, the Navya Sri Eye Clinic was created. Named after the daughter of the SSGT founding chairman, Sri Kaleshwar, the first ever eye clinic in this area was established. Its goal is to provide state of the art surgery for the elimination and prevention of various eye diseases such as cataracts.
Thousands of surgeries have been performed, and the clinic provides much needed ocular health care. Essential medical equipment, ambulance vehicles, operating facilities and support staff, have been provided to meet this overwhelming need of people who would otherwise not be able to afford proper care. Since its creation, the clinic has doubled its physical location size, and its surgeries have expanded significantly within its first 18 months.
Since its creation, Sri Kaleshwar has personally donated vehicles, ambulances and mini buses for transportation of patients, doctors and emergency purposes. As the hospital grows and the needs increase, addtional vehicles are planned to support the eye clinic’s growth.
Children with HIV
Recently SSGT and its chairman Sri Kaleshwar have provided much needed support to several organizations within its district, such as the Krushi Village development to help children inflicted with the HIV virus. Providing much needed nutritional suppliments and medical assistance, SSGT continues to support this growing problem in India. Although a permanent cure for this disease has yet to be discovered, assistance continues to support those with the virus and research into its eventual cure. When addressing these children, Sri Kaleshwar had this to say:
“Each and every person should come forward to help the people who are suffering with the dangerous disease HIV and make them feel happy, giving self confidence for them and also make those people to turn towards God and also take minimum responsibility for the welfare of HIV effected people and in eradicating this dangerous disease”.
Shirdi Sai Medical Hospital Complex
- Potential Layout of Shirdi Sai Medical Hospital Complex
In cooperation with the government of Andhra Pradesh, land has been donated within Penukonda Village to SSGT for the creation of an International Medical Hospital Complex. Within the district, this hospital will have one of the highest standards of specialization within Andhra Pradesh, and India. Phase I has already begun, with addtional complexes included for the educational training of medical personel, nurses, interns and doctors.
Total cost for this project is $20 million, and has already received international support from charitable organizations, prominent medical doctors and social leaders from US, European Union, and Asian countries.
Medical Assistance Articles
Courtesy of Sakshi
In response to the growing global concern about the threat to public health by the Swine Flu (H1N1) virus, the Shirdi Sai Global Trust (SSGT) along with the Penukonda Police Department conducted an educational meeting on August 5th, 2009 in Penukonda, India. The purpose of this meeting was to explain the facts regarding swine flu to the local people, to teach them how to prevent the illness and to distribute preventative medicine.
A distinguished panel of senior community leaders, local officials and doctors emphasized the importance of education regarding swine flu. Those in attendance were informed that there are 3 stages of this virus: A, B and C. The first 2 stages, A & B, are considered not as dangerous as the 3rd stage, C. In order to reduce the risk of contracting this virus, it was explained that care needs to be taken with regard to sanitation and hygiene around the house and community.
Specific measures, such as the proper use of surgical masks, avoidance of high-risk situations and ways to strengthen the immune system were explained to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus as well as ways to limit its spread throughout the population.
The local people were advised that in case of any instances of flu symptoms such as vomiting, high fever, and respiratory complications, they should immediately report these to their local hospital. Public health posters about the swine flu virus to be placed throughout the community were shown to those who attended.
All the speakers and local officials expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the SSGT for supporting this Swine flu educational seminar, as well as the distribution of large quantities of medicines to those who attended.
On Tuesday in Penukonda, the Krushi Rural Development Organization (KRD) held a program to help children suffering from HIV by giving them nutritional food. Mr. R.W. Prabakar Rao and KRD president Ramanji Neyulu participated in this program.
In the program the MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) of Penukonda, BK Parasaradhi, spoke of the many ways that the KRD is helping the people through its social welfare activities. He praised the organization and said its services are remarkable.
He especially commended the program offered by Sri Kaleshwar that is assisting children suffering from HIV, by providing them with nutritional food. He said that this was a very good model and very beneficial for society. He also said that he wants to give a permanent residence to the children suffering from HIV and that he will take this to the government and fight for it. Following his address, these nutritional foods were distributed to the to the suffering HIV infected children.
Courtesy of Surya
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Sri Sai Kaleshwar continued his charitable HIV preventative program this year, by again donating nutritional food packages to children infected with the deadly virus. In cooperation with the Krushi Village Development Society and its president, these care packages were distributed with the help of Mr Kandula Srinivas, who is the regional manager of one of India’s largest conglomerates, Reliance Industries. Its branch manager Mr Shashidhar Reddy also assisted in the distribution.
Courtesy of Surya & Sakshi
Sri Kaleshwar distributed nutritious food for the poor HIV infected children within Penukonda. Sri Kaleshwar has committed to providing monthly financial support to the Krushi Village Development Society, who has been continuously taking care of HIV patients.
On this occasion, MR. Srinivasulu who is the Regional manager of Reliance Industries, and Mr. Ramanjaneyulu the President of the Krushi Society were present.
Courtesy of Surya, Sakshi, Eenadu, Andhrajyoti, Andhrabhumi, Andhraprabha, Vartha
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On 4th of August 2008, the first anniversary of Navyashree Eye Hospital was celebrated at Penukonda, with Dr. Sri Sai Kaleshwar invited as the chief guest. In his speech, Sri Kaleshwar said the following:
“Every person should leave their selfishness, grudges and live their life for the development of the society and for the nation’s peace. The obstacles for the development of the society is only of selfishness and personal grudges.
When Mr. Konka Mallesh, the present Managing Director of Navyashree Eye Hospital, approached me and talked about a free eye hospital for the poor and asked for financial help, immediately I provided all the financial support to start the hospital. For this drought hit area we are doing all the charitable activities keeping the poor people’s needs in mind and working for their betterment.
Some anti-social elements are putting some personal grudges in their minds creating some obstacles for these development activities. I have devotees from all around the world requesting me many times to come and stay in their countries leaving this dangerous faction area; but I refused their request because I want to stay in this place and serve the society and work hard to make this place peaceful with the help of Sri Shirdi Sainatha.
If the press and police cooperate with us then we can make this place a peaceful place. Serving others should come from one’s heart."
Sri Kaleshwar appreciated all the people of Penukonda for their unity among each other irrespective of their individual religions; Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jains are all living together like brothers.
Sri Kaleshwar felt happy by the work done by Mr. Konka Mallesh in providing eye sight for more than 2000 poor and aged people through the Navyashree Eye Hospital.
He continued his speech by stating:
“I am going to donate an additional $15,000 (7 lakhs rupees) for the development of Navyashree Eye Hospital and will construct another hospital building. With good intention, I want to construct a Super Speciality Hospital, but the Government has not responded by allocating the place for the eventual construction of the hospital. By the year 2010 we will construct this hospital which will house 500 beds, Medical College, Dental College, and Nursing College. We will overcome all these obstacles and difficulties.”
CPI Political Leaders Praise Sri Kaleshwar
The CPI political party leaders Mr. Jagdish, the Farmers Association leader Mr. Katamaiah who once criticized Sri Kaleshwar, openly praised him for his spiritual and social charitable activities for the welfare of poor people. He went further to say that their party would stand beside, support and follow Sri Kaleshwar with his charitable activities.
Chiranjeevi Party Leaders Praised Sri Kaleshwar
Chiranjeevi, one of the famous film stars and also known as mega star in India, his followers Mr. Chandra Mouli who was one of Chirranjeev’s part leader for State wide and Mr. Ramesh Babu, in their speech praised Sri Kaleshwar as a hero for taking Mother Teresa as role model, serving poor people with his spiritual and charitable activities with the blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba and by the support of his devotees, the charitable activities which Swami was doing were highly commendable and asked Sri Kaleshwar’s blessing for his favorite hero Chiranjeevi. They also questioned the Government for not responding to provide necessary land for the construction of Super Speciality Hospital.
At this event Swami distributed free spectacles for the people who received their eye operations. The people present on this occasion were the Ex-Minister Mr. Narsa Goud, Surpanch of Penukonda Smt. Jayalakshmi, Mr. Konka Mallesh Managing director of Navyashree Eye Hospital, Shirdi Sai Global Trust members Mr. Bhaskar Reddy and others participated in this event.