Tag: Health

Global, India

Americares India Responds to Flooding in Assam and Bihar

 Americares India is organizing medical teams to treat survivors of the monsoon rains that have inundated South Asia.

More than 25 million people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal are affected by flooding, as monsoon rains have washed out roads, submerged homes and triggered landslides. To date, more than 500,000 people are displaced and over 600 people have died, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Beginning Monday, Americares India will organize medical teams in three districts in Assam and two districts in Bihar, where continuous rains and contaminated water have heightened health concerns. The teams, operated in partnership with local health care organizations, will provide medical care and dispense medications as needed. Americares also plans to deliver hygiene kits.

“With homes and roads submerged in several feet of standing water, we expect to see an increase in infections,” said Americares India Managing Director Shripad Desai. “Our medical teams will focus on providing primary care and basic first aid for the most vulnerable survivors, including pregnant women, children and the elderly.”

Americares India, based in Mumbai, provides emergency medical and humanitarian aid in response to floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other disasters. Most recently, the Americares India team responded to Cyclone Fani in Odisha, deploying medical teams to care for more than 5,200 patients. Americares India also provides health education, supports health worker safety programs and operates seven mobile health centers that provide free primary care services in 13 municipal wards across the slums of Mumbai.

In Nepal, where more than 100 people have died as result of the flooding, the Americares team in Kathmandu is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Population and local partners to restock health facilities with essential medicines and relief supplies.

Donations to Americares Worldwide Disaster Relief Fund will support its response to the flooding in India and Nepal. To make a donation, please go towww.americares.org/worldwide Continue reading “Americares India Responds to Flooding in Assam and Bihar” →

Community, Global, Nation

“This season is about bringing light to the people around us”-P.M. Justin Trudeau

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Christmas:

“Merry Christmas, Canada!

“Today, our family joins Christians across the country and around the world to celebrate the birth of Christ.

“It’s a time to spread joy and cheer, appreciate our blessings, and honour traditions – whether that’s opening presents, decorating the Christmas tree, sharing a meal together, or setting aside a couple of cookies for Santa.

“We’re also well into winter, from coast to coast to coast – and here in Canada, we’ve always known how to smile through the cold days and long nights. This time of year, that Canadian spirit shines through most – because this season is about bringing light to the people around us.

“We also know this is a difficult time for some families. For Canadian Armed Forces members who are far from home, it’s just one example of the many sacrifices you and your families make. We’re thinking of you, and we’re grateful for everything you do for Canadians.

“And we’re thinking too of hardworking Canadian families who might be struggling to make ends meet this Christmas. Our government is working hard to make things a little easier for you  Continue reading ““This season is about bringing light to the people around us”-P.M. Justin Trudeau” →

Community, Health

LIONS DONATE $100,000 FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Toronto Netralya Lions Club (TNLC) Raises thousands of dollars for “Indigenous Eye Health” at the Lions Gala for Sight – 2018
Funds will support Eye Exam Room and Diabetes Care in new Health Centre

The Toronto Netralya Lions Club (TNLC) donated $100,000 for “Indigenous Eye Health” at a fundraiser organized at the Avani Event Centre in Vaughan. Funds raised at the Lions Gala for Sight – 2018 will support an “Eye Exam and Diabetes Care room” for a new Anishnawbe Health Centre in Toronto.

This is the first time Lions and the Indian Diaspora have created a legacy and taken the lead to raise funds for the Indigenous Community of Canada. “Our Toronto Netralya Lions Club wanted to do something to help the Indigenous people, one of the most vulnerable communities in the Greater Toronto Area,” says Lion Kanta Arora, Founding Member, Club President and Gala Chair on May 5, 2018. “The TNLC is dedicated to ending preventable blindness and to provide funding for programs that help eradicate eye disease in underprivileged communities. I’m proud that TNLC got behind this cause and we are proud to contribute to ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ for our Indigenous brothers and sisters with this donation.”

In Canada, Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable eye disease. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death and one in three Canadians with Diabetes will develop Retinopathy Continue reading “LIONS DONATE $100,000 FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY” →

Global, Health

University of Virginia offers “Medical Yoga for Health Professionals” course

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, public research university and tier-one research institution with a nationally renowned health system, is offering “Foundations of Medical Yoga for Health Professionals” in Fall this year.

This three-credits course “will provide graduate students, medical students, and practicing health professionals with a foundational understanding of medical yoga to improve health and wellness from a historical, theoretical, and research perspective”, the announcement states.

It will explore history of yoga, theories and conceptualizations of medical yoga as a healing modality, review of significant research related to therapeutic yoga, applications of medical yoga for self and clinical care, etc. It will include both didactic and experiential components. Dr. Maureen Mala Cunningham, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, is the instructor.

Highly selective University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, which claims to be nation’s #2 public university, has about 22,800 students and one of its “purposes” is “providing world-class patient care”. It recently established a “pan-university Brain Institute that will address important challenges on the frontiers of understanding, treating, and reverse-engineering the brain”. Teresa A. Sullivan and Frank M. Conner III are President and Visitors Board Rector respectively. Continue reading “University of Virginia offers “Medical Yoga for Health Professionals” course” →

Nation

“Merry Christmas, Canada!”-P.M. Justin Trudeau

“In 2017, people across Canada gave us much reason to be proud, and showed us the strength in our diversity. Canadians are neighbours helping neighbours, sharing warmth, compassion, and generosity—not just at Christmas, but all year round.

“For Christians around the world, this season is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ and his message of compassion. For all of us, it is a chance to come together to give thanks for everything that unites us.

“As the 150th anniversary of Confederation draws to a close, all of us have a role to play in shaping our world for the better. In the New Year, and throughout the years to come, let’s commit to making a difference. Whether by lending a hand to a neighbour, or volunteering for a cause we believe in, let’s give generously, and live out the values that bring us together.

“Let’s also reach out and listen—to those next door, across the aisle, and at the dinner table. Building a better world starts where we work and live, in our communities, and at home.

“During the holidays, I also ask you take a moment to remember our brave servicewomen and men, and their families. They make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe.

“From our family to yours, Hadrien, Ella-Grace, Xavier, Sophie, and I wish you joy, health, love, and peace this holiday season. Merry Christmas.”

Continue reading ““Merry Christmas, Canada!”-P.M. Justin Trudeau” →

Health

BAPS Charities Health Fair in Toronto Connects Health Professionals with the Community

BAPS Charities hosted several hundred participants at its 14th annual Health Fair on Sunday September 24, 2017 at the BAPS Swaminarayan Complex in Toronto.  This year’s Health Fair aimed to provide practical, preventative health care information for community members of all ages.

Over 50 health care professionals volunteered for the event, including dentists, optometrists, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and family physicians. Collectively, these professionals provided a variety of services and screening tests including audiograms, eye screenings and dental screenings. Participants were also able to attend relevant workshops on various health topics such as diabetes and yoga as well as receive individual consultations on issues including diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Special guests at the Health Fair included Councillor Vincent Crisanti, Ward 1 – Etobicoke North, thanked the volunteers of BAPS Charities and said, “BAPS Charities has always taken a very wholesome approach. Part of being healthy is having healthy families. This event has grown over the years and I am happy to be here to kick off the health fair. Let’s stay healthy.”

“I’ve been volunteering with the BAPS Charities Health Fair for several years now”, said Lalit Wadhvana, “Each year, I see the event growing and evolving to address some pressing health issues facing our community. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the ability to help my neighbours, friends and community members lead healthier, longer lives! Continue reading “BAPS Charities Health Fair in Toronto Connects Health Professionals with the Community” →