ID :
119373
Fri, 04/30/2010 - 01:22
Auther :

MERCY'S INDIAN DOCTOR-PARTNER WINS REGIONAL AWARD


P.VIJIAN

THIMPHU, April 29 (Bernama) -- A young Indian doctor, who partnered Mercy
Malaysia, to conduct medical relief work in remote flood-ravaged Bihar, received
an outstanding regional award for his contributions.

Dr Ravikant Singh, who founded Doctors For You, a voluntary medical team of
young Indian doctors, worked with Mercy's volunteers, to roll out medical aid
in northern Bihar, India, during the 2008 Kosi floods -- which devastated and
displaced thousands of villagers.

At the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit,
Dr Ravikant was felicitated as the youngest person for his commitment during a
major natural disaster.

"From the final 15 candidates, I was selected for the SAARC Youth Award for
my contribution in a natural disaster. I received US$3,000 (RM10,500) ,
certificate and a gold medal.

"Along with Mercy Malaysia, my team of doctors had carried out medical
relief work in disaster areas and continued our programmes even after the
disaster," he told Bernama after receiving the award in Thimphu, Bhutan's
capital.



The 28-year-old Dr Ravikant, works in the Department of Social and
Preventive Medicine in KEM Hospital in Mumbai.

During the flood crisis, Mercy mounted a medical relief project to help
flood-affected villagers, assisted by Dr Ravikant's medical team, treating
over 100,000 patients.

In addition, Mercy, backed by the voluntary doctors, funded to set up a
healthcare centre in Saharsa District in the interiors of Bihar, where more
than 30,000 patients had been treated so far.

At least 900 local pregnant women, deprived of decent medical care, are now
seeking treatment at the centre and about 90 deliveries were successfully
carried out.

"My goal is to start a medical disaster relief team like Mercy Malaysia for
the South Asia region that is prone to natural disasters," he added.

--BERNAMA

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