Google.org awardee Ratna Nidhi trust along with ACC Trust, MZ & KZ Shah Foundation (UK) and Hope4Smile Foundation (UK) is organizing a large medical camp in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra during 17-23 December 2019. The camp will be held in the Sports Club of Cement Nagar, Chandrapur, providing healthcare access to people from the most underprivileged strata of society.
The BETiC team is pitching in with five types of medical devices developed at IIT Bombay, for screening various conditions among the local population attending the camp. These devices include:
1. Diabetic foot screener to screen and prevent long term ulceration and amputation in diabetic population.
2. Ayulink Smart stethoscope to record and send heart and lung data from rural patients to urban doctors to get a correct diagnosis.
- ECG screening device for high-fidelity recording of heart sounds through phono-cardiography, a useful diagnostic tool for cardiac conditions.
- Glaucoma screener for detecting high levels of intraocular pressure, which can help patients to take steps to avoid progressive loss of vision.
- Prosthetic legs created using a new process for amputees and landmine victims, making the prosthesis comfortable and yet affordable.
Dr. Rupesh Ghyar of BETiC says, “Our team in IIT Bombay has developed several novel medical devices in close collaboration with top doctors, followed by rigorous testing, patent filing and licensing to industry. We are working closely with Ratna Nidhi Trust to take the prosthetic leg and other devices to even remote corners of the country, to benefit the local population.”
The camp is expected to benefit over 20,000 people in and around Chandrapur. About 1000 prosthetics, calipers and crutches will be distributed. About 250 free cataract surgeries will be carried out, courtesy of Vision Foundation of India, and 10,000 prescription eye-glasses will be provided, sponsored by Essilor. High quality goggles will be provided to 350 senior citizens. Other initiatives include dental care treatments for 2000 patients, consulting and dispensing of medicines to 3500 paediatric patients, physiotherapy for 1500 patients, and distribution of 900 belts and collars to needy patients. Breast cancer diagnosis (pap spear test) will be carried out for 1500 women, followed by free treatment for those diagnosed. All incoming people will be tested for blood pressure, and 15000 people will be tested for blood sugar. The Ratna Nidhi Trust will also distribute 15000 -10,000 units of garments.
About BETiC:
The Biomedical Engineering and Technology (incubation) Centre is located at IIT Bombay, with satellite centres in six engineering colleges and seven medical institutes across Maharashtra. The initiative is envisioned and supported by S&T Council of Maharashtra Government and DST, New Delhi, to accelerate the indigenous development of affordable medical devices suitable for local manufacture and use. In the last five years, the BETiC team developed and filed patents for over 50 devices, and licensed 20 of them to start-up companies or industry partners.
To know more, visit – https://betic.in/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/beticIITB/
About Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust: Ratna Nidhi is a registered charity that visions to tackle the problems of poverty in Mumbai, especially amongst young children. Their projects cover a wide range of activities for the underprivileged strata of society, both in India and other developing countries, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Kenya and Burundi.
Eminent personalities like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Udit Raj, and Shri Ratan Tata have supported their work. Ratna Nidhi is one of the largest donors of orthotics and prosthetics in the world. In India alone, they have distributed over 2.48 lac mobility aids.
They have distributed 23 million free meals as part of their mid-day meals in Mumbai every morning- over the last 15 years. The trust was selected by Google for its Impact Challenge for Disabilities Award to further technology in helping limb amputees.
