September 2012

The rains have been gardeners showers, good for the groundnuts but not enough to fill the tanks and recharge the bore wells which have run dry.

The patients however continue to pour in

Total Outpatient: 1926

 

Below 15 years: Male - 118; Female - 134
Above 65 years: Male: 84; Female - 98
15 - 65 years: Male - 704; Female - 792
 

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1234
1000 - 2000: 607
2000 - 3000: 41
3000 - 4000: 23
More than 4000: 21

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 122
Glasses: 52
Medicines: 65
Surgeries: 05

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 04
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

The rains continue to play truant. A smile is a rarity. Erratic electricity adds to the woes. The cost of living is also going up. There seems to be no end to the woes being faced.

Right now this post is being written when the power supply is there. Hopefully it lasts till this is published! 
Statistics as usual

Total Outpatient: 1906

 

Below 15 years: Male - 129; Female - 100
Above 65 years: Male: 100; Female - 97
15 - 65 years: Male - 714; Female - 766
 

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1178
1000 - 2000: 652
2000 - 3000: 37
3000 - 4000: 15
More than 4000: 24

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 146
Glasses: 48
Medicines: 94
Surgeries: 04

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 00
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 01
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0 

Some Stories

3 year old with Chronic Osteomyelitis

This young boy needs aggressive treatment, surgery to take care of his osteomyelitis. He has been referred to the SVRR Government Hospital in Tirupati and one hopes that he will get the necessary treatment there.

1 year old: Cretinism

This 1 year old baby was diagnosed with Cretinism.The thyroid profile showed a hypothyroid picture. Replacement therapy has been started.

40 year with Hyperthyroidism

 The other end of the Thyroid Disorder Spectrum. This 40 year old male had been diagnosed, at various times in the past 06 months with (i) Tuberculosis (ii) Enteric Fever (iii) Psychiatric illness - unspecified - an treated for the same.

One look at him and it was obvious that he was a Hyperthyroid. The tests have confirmed it and he is under treatment. The improvement in two weeks has been remarkable.

The couple below have been reduced to begging for their sustenance and livelihood, having lost their lands to their sons. This sort of occurrence is now more common in the rural areas, given the pressure on the land.

65 year old with Malnutrition

 

70 year old with Malnutrition

July 2012

The rains have kept away and one can see the growing despondency on the faces of the farmers, daily wage workers. How are they going to make ends meet over the coming year?
We also faced a problem at the health centre. The cost of living has gone up and we increased salaries of our staff substantially this year. We thought that we could increase the consultation amount but found that we could not do this due to the monsoon failure. So now one has to find the funds to continue our work. A way will be found!
Anyway here are the statistics:

Total Outpatient: 1784

 

Below 15 years: Male - 77; Female - 99
Above 65 years: Male: 108; Female - 95
15 - 65 years: Male - 712; Female - 698
 

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1100
1000 - 2000: 605
2000 - 3000: 23
3000 - 4000: 18
More than 4000: 38

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 104
Glasses: 45
Medicines: 58
Surgeries: 01

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 00

Caesarean Section: 01
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0 

June 2012

Back after a vacation - a much needed break. Took an extra week off and back to work on 11th. Still not completely out of the fatigue of the hectic month of May.

 

Total Outpatient: 1184

 

Below 15 years: Male - 68; Female - 55
Above 65 years: Male: 73; Female - 63
15 - 65 years: Male - 461 Female - 464
 

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 756
1000 - 2000: 372
2000 - 3000: 23
3000 - 4000: 18
More than 4000: 15

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 57
Glasses: 20
Medicines: 34
Surgeries: 05

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 04
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 00

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0 

An old lady who lives by herself. She has a Cancer of the lip, a slow growing one which will respond well to Surgery and Therapy. However, she has no one to accompany her to the tertiary care centre at Tirupati for treatment. Her only son passed away and husband is also no more. There is no one in the village either who is willing to help her, naturally given the constraints of survival in this drought prone land. One wonders whether there is truly any altruistic behaviour amongst us humans

April 2012

A new financial year and also a time for a break. The RHC closes on 30 April 2012 to reopen 04 Jun 2012. A much needed break considering the swarm of patients this last month

 

Total Outpatient: 1894

 

Below 15 years: Male - 67; Female - 69
Above 65 years: Male: 112; Female - 100
15 - 65 years: Male - 710; Female - 836
 

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1172
1000 - 2000: 613
2000 - 3000: 51
3000 - 4000: 21
More than 4000: 37

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 45
Glasses: 13
Medicines: 25
Surgeries: 07

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 04
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

March 2012

Another month goes past and the heat builds up. No Sign of rains as yet! The land is rapidly drying up. This is the first time in 13 years that it has been so hot in March.
The patient load peaked in March expected. The financial year closing seems to affect the patients too!

Total Outpatient: 2129

 

Below 15 years: Male - 93; Female - 103
Above 65 years: Male: 126; Female - 136
15 - 65 years: Male - 818; Female - 853

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1243
1000 - 2000: 787
2000 - 3000: 30
3000 - 4000: 17
More than 4000: 52

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 87
Glasses: 45
Medicines: 38
Surgeries: 04

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 00

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

February 2012

There is an increasing demand for the management of Diabetes at the Health Centre. Patients feel that they get a comprehensive check, management here at the most optimal cost. They are willing to travel great distances, enduring a lot of discomfort to be seen by us. The Distance Fellowship in Diabetology, from CMC Vellore has helped in a better management of the patients. It is a struggle to say no to the wealthier diabetics,particularly when they say that apart from the Health Centre they have no recourse to anyone for the appropriate management and treatment of this chronic condition and that they have to go to either Bengaluru or Tirupathi for this condition.

One wonders why there are so many diabetics and it is only showing an ever increasing trend.

Total Outpatient: 1869

 

Below 15 years: Male - 100; Female - 106
Above 65 years: Male: 113; Female - 119
15 - 65 years: Male - 676; Female - 755

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1158
1000 - 2000: 629
2000 - 3000: 32
3000 - 4000: 19
More than 4000: 31

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 102
Glasses: 37
Medicines: 53
Surgeries: 12

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 03
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 01
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

January 2012

January started with a bang. There seems to be no let up in the number of patients seeking services and help

Total Outpatient: 1976

 

Below 15 years: Male - 85; Female - 88
Above 65 years: Male: 192; Female - 152
15 - 65 years: Male - 695; Female - 764

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1202
1000 - 2000: 691
2000 - 3000: 51
3000 - 4000: 12
More than 4000: 20

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 107
Glasses: 56
Medicines: 48
Surgeries: 03

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 01
Abortion: 01

Still Birth: 0

December 2011

A very happy 2012 to all. May the year ahead bring bountiful rains to all.

December saw a flood of patients as usual. This will decrease with the onset ofthe new year as well as Sankranthi.

Total Outpatient: 2130

 

Below 15 years: Male - 141; Female - 128
Above 65 years: Male: 174; Female - 189
15 - 65 years: Male - 696; Female - 802

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1304
1000 - 2000: 718
2000 - 3000: 61
3000 - 4000: 22
More than 4000: 25

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 121
Glasses: 47
Medicines: 40
Surgeries: 04

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 02

Caesarean Section: 02
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

November 2011

Back after vacation, a time for relaxation and fun. Enjoyed the peace and quiet of the valley!!!

Total Outpatient: 1469

 

Below 15 years: Male - 91; Female - 74
Above 65 years: Male: 71; Female - 55
15 - 65 years: Male - 546; Female - 632

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 983
1000 - 2000: 423
2000 - 3000: 44
3000 - 4000: 19
More than 4000: 06

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 93
Glasses: 45
Medicines: 46
Surgeries: 02

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 03
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 00

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

Losses - A part of life

Anitha 17/F

Jahnavi 1 1/2 y/F

Anitha had Congenital Heart Disease - Single Dysplastic Ventricle
Considered inoperable
Diagnosed in July 2011
Patient passed away on 23 Oct 2011










Jahnavi was optd 02 Aug 2011 with a Bidirectional Glenn Procedure on CPB
However post op course was stormy and baby had recurrent cardiac failures, finally passing away on 03 Oct 2011








All of us at the RHC have been affected by these two deaths, brings home the fact that there is always a higher power than us mere mortals 

October 2011

Finally a sense of relaxation. The RHC closes for 2 weeks for Diwali, reopening on 07 Nov 2011

A much needed break for all of us!!

Total Outpatient: 1430

 

Below 15 years: Male - 89; Female - 88
Above 65 years: Male: 101; Female - 94
15 - 65 years: Male - 483; Female - 575

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 989
1000 - 2000: 388
2000 - 3000: 26
3000 - 4000: 21
More than 4000: 06

Eye Care

Total patients: 54
Glasses: 15
Medicines: 26
Surgeries: 13

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 01
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

September 2011

We have almost given up about the rains this year. The lack of work is telling on all. The patient load has gone up and we are flooded with Diabetics who come from all over.

Total Outpatient: 2025

 

Below 15 years: Male - 113; Female - 100
Above 65 years: Male: 188; Female - 131
15 - 65 years: Male - 688; Female - 805

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1385
1000 - 2000: 571
2000 - 3000: 42
3000 - 4000: 21
More than 4000: 06

Eye Care

Total patients: 103
Glasses: 42
Medicines: 50
Surgeries: 11

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 04
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0

Aug 2011

The rains continue to be poor affecting the sowing. The goundnuts have all been planted and seem to have sprouted fairly well. All of use here are praying for good rains just as news about floods in Orissa come in.

The RHC continues to be busy and the stats are given below:

Total Outpatient: 1696

 

Below 15 years: Male - 104; Female - 80
Above 65 years: Male: 112; Female - 115
15 - 65 years: Male - 609; Female - 676

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1151
1000 - 2000: 500
2000 - 3000: 28
3000 - 4000: 09
More than 4000: 08

Eye Care

Total patients: 125
Glasses: 61
Medicines: 78
Surgeries: 08

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0 

Stories

Jahnavi 1.5 years F

Jahnavi - Post Op: GLEN Surgery done

Jahnvi was brought to the RHC with h/o bluish discolouration of fingers and incessant crying. Clinically Dr Ramesh suspected a Congenital Heart Disease. She was referred to STAR Hospitals, Hyderabad, under Arogyasri Scheme. There she was diagnosed as Situs Inversus, Inlet VSD, Pulm Stenosis and Bilat SVC. A Bilateral Bidirectional Glenn Surgery on CPB was done on 02 Aug 2011 by Dr Anil Kumar and team.
Post op was stormy in part due to a misunderstanding about drug schedules. The baby had a cardiac failure which was revived and is now doing well. 

 Vyshnavi  was not so lucky. All of 02 months old, she was brought to us with bluish discoulouration of the nails and cough.
An echo showed a single dysplastic ventricle, single atrium and transposition of vessels. The baby had a Cardiac Failure which was treated at Narayana Hrudyalaya. She was deemed inoperable and is now only on medical management. The parents were quite shattered and still hope that the baby would be well.



Both Jahnavi and Vyshnavi were initially managed thansk to support from Heart and Hand for the Handicapped USA and Sishukunj International, England

July 2011

July sees a large number of patients, primarily since the sowing season has not started as yet. The rains have been deficient and we are hoping for a a good spell. The forecast is however not encouraging.

The stats are given below:

Total Outpatient: 1779

 

Below 15 years: Male - 106; Female - 89
Above 65 years: Male: 142; Female - 115
15 - 65 years: Male - 606; Female - 721

Income (per month)
INR less than 1000: 1226
1000 - 2000: 522
2000 - 3000: 25
3000 - 4000: 04
More than 4000: 02 

 

Eye Care

Total patients: 147
Glasses: 61
Medicines: 78
Surgeries: 08

Antenatal Programme
New registrations: 02
Domiciliary Delivery: 0

Hospital Delivery: 01

Caesarean Section: 00
Abortion: NIL

Still Birth: 0 

 

Stories

The two old people pictured below, have multiple disabilities. As with many such people, they are dependant on the old age pension of Rs 200 pm. Their children are away in cities working for a living.

They are being supported by the Vayovriddhi Scheme of VDC London 

Venkataramana 75/M: HTN, CVA Non Healing Ulcer

Venkataramana 75/M: HTN, CVA, Non Healing Ulcer

Gangulamma, 72/F: HTN, CVA (w/o Venkataramana)