Katra, Kashmir Polio Corrective Surgery Report
Hawthorne Rotarian Larry Bender submitted the final report for the Polio Corrective Surgery Camp in Katra, Kashmir, held from December 1 - 3, 2007. There were some polio surgeries but the majority of patients presented club feet and other birth defect deformities.
The Camp was sponsored by The Rotary Club of Mumbai-Ghatkopar, District 3140, Rotary Club of Hawthorne and District 5280 (thru Pat Cashin DDF set aside last year). The Camp was held to honor the memory of the late Dr. Nandlal Parekh, Culver City Rotary Club, who brought the program home to our district.
291 patients were screened at the Camp; 81 persons were selected for surgery and 93 surgeries were performed. Arrangements are being made for hospitalization in Mumbai for 18 patients requiring multiple surgeries and prolonged surgeries/treatments. 62 calipers were distributed to non-operative cases at the camp; further, 93 calipers will be distributed at the Post-op care to be held in January 2007. In addition, Doctor Madhav Borate performed 25 orthopedic corrective surgeries in his Pune Hospital. He told us that he does 25 PCS operations each month for free.
My best guess is that since 1995 we have completed 9,000 orthopedic corrective surgeries in India and Africa which were funded by $750,000 in Matching and 3-H Grants. In addition another 3,000-4000 Cataract Removal and Lens Implant eye surgeries were performed by Rotarian Indian Ophthalmologists in India and Africa during the same time period.
Our district has a lot to be proud of, and the District is very proud of Larry Bender and his dedication to this very important program.