Hina Patel Foundation

Valsad District has two thousand sickle cell disease homozygous patients and eighty-thousand sickle cell trait heterozygous patients. Hina Patel Foundation (HPF) in collaboration with Valsad District Health Department and Valsad Raktadan Kendra (VRK) organized two comprehensive health care camps for sickle cell disease patients of Dharampur and Kaprada Taluka on November 22, 2016 and November 24, 2016. Camps were held at Dharampur State Hospital which was equipped with pathology lab, x-ray machine, and ultra-sound serivces which were necessary for diagnosis and treatment planning. A total of hundred and thirty-six patients attended the two camps and all were seen by medical officer or pediatrician, depending on the age group. Some with complications got referred to Hematologist and Orthopedic Surgeon who were present on site. One hundred and nine patients were started on Hydroxyurea, forty-two patients received x-rays, six required ultra-sonography, and all one hundred and thirty-six got CBC lab investigation. Two patients required blood tranfusion which was provided free by VRK. All medical services, investigations, and medicines were provided by the Dharampur State Hospital, except for the Hematologist, Dr. Nirav Buch, who graciously volunteered his time both days. A thorough counseling of sickle cell disease patients regarding the crisis management and how to live with sickle cell disease was carried out by members of HPF along with a kit with necessary medicines, a thermometer, hot water bag, dressing material, and educational material, all of which was supplied by HPF.