Udupi: Rotary International is the world’s largest and longest service organization, which has its presence in over 200 nations. Ever since the formation of this organization, it has given much importance to health, hunger and humanity round the globe for the benefit of under privileged. One such model is Rotary club of Shankerpura. Its un-interrupted monthly free psychiatric medical camp which started 14 year ago, being held on every first Sunday of the month for the benefit of poor and needy psychiatric patients. Main objective of these camps is to render the health care services to the door steps of the mentally ill. These community campaigns have also brought about welcoming change in attitudes of the families and community towards mental illness. Many patients benefited from these camps, are now cured, rehabilitated and leading normal life.

Though the response was low in the initial stages, the inflow of the patients has been rapidly increasing in recent years. At present there are more than 450 registered cases out of which approximately 150-160 patients are availing free consultation and medicines every month. On an average, Rotary Club of Shankerpura spends around Rs 30,000 on medicines alone. Thanks to the donors, philanthropists, well-wishers for their financial support which will allow them to continue their noble project for the benefit of under-privileged psychiatric patients.

The camps are being conducted under the banner of Rotary Shankerpura and Rotary Trust, in association with District Hospital Udupi and Primary Health Centre, Moodabettu, near Shankerpura. The eminent Psychiatrist Dr P V Bandary, director of Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi and Dr Srinivas Bhat, professor, department of Psychiatry, Dr K S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangaluru, render their dedicated voluntary services with the supporting staff of medical counsellors, pharmacists and the Rotarians in alleviating the sufferings of poor psychiatric patients.

The charity gives meaning and richness to lives. So if anybody likes to help this noble project for the benefit of poor and needy psychiatric patients of the rural area, one can contact:

Rotarian Edward Mendonca, camp coordinator, Mobile: 8095228396

Rotarian Antony D’Sa, past president of Rotary Shankerpura and proprietor of Anil Caterers, Shankerpura, Mobile: 9901789241

You can send your generous contributions directly to Rotary Trust, Bank of Baroda, Account No. 16580100001042, IFSC Code BARB0INNANJ, MICR 5760122501, Innanje Branch.