AN APPEAL FOR HOSPITAL PROJECT AT LOK BIRADARI PRAKALPA

AN APPEAL FOR HOSPITAL PROJECT AT LOK BIRADARI PRAKALPA The Lok Biradri Prakalp (LBP) Cottage Hospital was started in 1973 by Dr. Prakash and Dr. Mandakini Amte in Hemalkasa, a remote village in Bhamragad taluka of Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. What started as a hospital in a small hut is now a well-equipped 30-bed hospital, which has worked ceaselessly to provide modern healthcare facilities to the Madia-Gond tribals of the region for over 30 years. Annually around 40,000 OPD and 1,500 IPD cases are seen at the hospital, and around 400 minor surgeries performed. With no penetration of private healthcare in the taluka, the government healthcare machinery on its own will be inadequate to absorb all health cases arising in the region. Thus the need for LBP cottage hospital to continue providing quality medical care to the impoverished tribals today is as relevant as it was in 1973. If we calculate the value of medical services provided by the LBP hospital by comparing it to the closest private set up, annually treatment worth Rs. 52.5 lacs is passed on to society free of cost. In the past few years, a strong need has been felt to expand the medical facilities available at the hospital by its reconstruction into a modern complex. This need arises due to problem areas in the existing hospital complex, and also for satisfying the increasing medical needs of the Madia-Gonds. The LBP cottage hospital is currently operating out of a structure that was built in 1978. Due to limited funds at the time there was extensive use of mud and wood in the construction. Thus the hospital building today faces a major termite problem and the wooden beams will not support the structure for many more years. The construction of the building was also kept very simplistic due to lack of professional architectural inputs at the time. Thus the layout isn’t designed specifically to suit hospital operations. This leads to a lack of synergy in the operations of the LBP cottage hospital. With increasing number of cases being handled by the hospital there is also a need for capacity expansion- a larger IPD section, more delivery tables, an ICU room, a larger NICU facility, and new blood storage facilities. There is also a need to increase the number of operation theatres to handle increasing number of surgeries. The reconstruction project is further justified due to the dedication of the implementing organization to ensure not just successful project completion, but also their resolve to run this hospital for decades to come. Dr. Digant and Dr. Anagha Amte (son and daughter-in-law of Dr. Prakash and Dr. Mandakini Amte) took over operations of the hospital in 2003. The third Amte generation to dedicate their lives to a social cause, they have taken a vow to continue their medical practice at Hemalkasa their entire career. They are joined by many young volunteers.Thus the aim of this project is to “reconstruct the LBP cottage hospital and increase its capacity from 30 to 40 beds, to ensure that the Madia-Gonds of this region continue to receive modern healthcare services for the years to come” The layout for a new hospital complex has been designed to suit the unique needs of the LBP cottage hospital. Based on this design, the total budget of the project inclusive of the construction and equipment cost is approximately 5.4 crores. Details of the fund status are as follows- Estimated cost in Rs. Funds received through grants Deficit in funds Phase 1. Hospital building 4,85,00,000.00 4,19,00,00.00 66,00,000.00 Central water storage and supply system 45,00,000.00 45,00,000.00 Phase 2. Residential quarters for staff 2,50,00,000.00 2,50,000.00 There is a deficit of Rs. 1,11,00,000.00 for the phase 1 of the hospital project and of Rs.25000000 For phase 2 of the hospital project. The donations should be in the name of ‘Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Warora’. The donors should write their full name, complete address, phone number and PAN with the cheque. On-line transfers can be made to A/c no.20244238823 of Bank of Maharashtra, Bhamragad Branch, Gadchiroli, IFSC MAHB0001108. After transferring the amount donors are requested to inform Mr. Ketan Phadnis (mob. No. 7588772857) about fund transfer and details like full name, complete address, mobile number and PAN. Please note that receipt of contribution will be dispatched to the given address within a month. The donors will receive income tax exemption under 80 G.