BAPS Charities Health Fair Promotes Routine Health Check Ups

Healthcare professionals volunteered their services at the BAPS Charities health fair.

Healthcare professionals volunteered their services at the BAPS Charities health fair.

STAFFORD: Many cars of today’s world have indicators when maintenance is needed and most of us typically follow this warning to extend the life of our cars. When it comes to the driver of the car, how often does he or she go in for routine health checks or screenings? The thought of periodic health check-ups is daunting for many.  One organization that finds it important to promote healthy living and early detection of life threatening disease is BAPS Charities. On April 13, 2013, BAPS Charities held its 13th annual health fair in Stafford, Texas at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

By 8:00 am, doctors, nurses, techs and many other healthcare professionals were ready to offer their services in the areas of pediatrics, gynecology, cardiology, ophthalmology, dentistry and orthopedics.  The BAPS Charities health fair stands out by offering a variety of tests from free physical examinations, dental screenings, vision screenings and some at very nominal costs, such as an echocardiogram with interpretation by a cardiologist for only $50 or a PSA hormone test for only $15. Dr. Larry Baum, an urologist from Sugarland, TX said, “This is a wonderful event, it really brings medical education and health screenings to the forefront for people that normally may not have access or be aware of the importance of medical screening in all different body systems”

Tests being performed during the Health Fair.

Tests being performed during the Health Fair.

As most of us are very lost when it comes to the medical world, the health fair offered an opportunity for visitors to educate themselves through many of its sponsored booths and 8 interactive public health awareness seminars on educational topics such as heart-healthy life style, emergency preparedness, new health care policies, diabetes risk modification, prevention of osteoporosis, yoga and healthy smoothies for the general audience. “I learned how certain types of food are harmful to the body,” said Arjun Pandya “and that there are many vegetables like kale that can provide health benefits.” “Along with visitors walking away with an educational experience, many doctors learned of ways to improve their own practices and outcomes for their patients through medical lectures or CME. Each participant and allied healthcare professional was grateful to have sponsors like Medistar, Otsuka, and many others to contribute to this informative health fair.

By the end of a beautiful Saturday afternoon, over 1200 participants and a combined 6000 different tests were conducted by 100 various health care professionals. “Out of 200 patients that I had a chance to screen today,” stated Dr. Ghanshyam Patel, Ophthalmologist, “10 of them were diagnosed with eye diseases that could have eventually led to blindness without detection.” Dr. Patel shared 45 patients had cataracts, 8 glaucoma risk factors and 20 with diabetic retinopathy. The dedication of each of the BAPS Charities volunteers can be seen from all of the services performed throughout the day.

If all of us had a maintenance light indicator for our health then the BAPS Charities annual health fair would come very close to it. This health fair offers variety of tests and screenings that the entire community can benefit from through education for healthier living and early detection. The health fair also brings access to those who may otherwise go without it. After a walk through the BAPS Charities health fair, the Texas Medical Association president, Dr. Michael Speer commented, “This health fair is amazing. You have got more volunteers, more physicians, and more people in one spot that I have ever seen in this city.” Dr. Speer added, “This organization (BAPS Charities) is very well crafted, everyone has their place, everyone has their position, everyone has something to do that moves the patient flow so they can get the most medical benefit. It is a fantastic opportunity.”

In 2012, BAPS Charities organized 38 such events throughout North America.  In total, 1,720 health care professionals from local communities treated nearly 11,393 participants across the nation.  Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, walkathons, education and career development seminars, disaster relief operations, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families.

For additional information on BAPS Charities and its international and local philanthropic activities, please visit : www.bapscharities.org