The True Definition of Caring – Healing Hands 2020

Yoshani Ranaweera -

As written by Rtr. Udara Sachintha

“Being healthy is the greatest treasure of all”

The Lord Buddha

Today, the world is facing a great crisis which makes people realize the truth of the above pearl of wisdom. By now, being healthy has become a great challenge to all of us.

Over time in Sri Lanka, one of the biggest challenges for the health of the society has become “kidney-related diseases”. To face this challenge, many governmental and non-governmental bodies have been implemented. A presidential task force was also established to eradicate this menace. As always, the Rotaractors of Rotaract Club of University of Moratuwa put their hands together to help the society to overcome this challenge. “Healing Hands 2020”, a sub project of “Grama Prabodhaya” is the result of that attempt.

A crew of 28 Rotaractors as well as some members of medical staff reached Dunupothagama Vidyalaya, Nochchiyagama on the 14th of March by 9 o’ clock in the morning and marked the start of “Healing Hands 2020”. Out of the 12 medical officers that participated, 5 were doctors from Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital and Medical Health Office, Nochchiyagama. Despite any difficulties that the villagers face, more than 100 patients participated in this camp. Each of them got a BMI checkup, a random blood sugar test, a cholesterol test and CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) screening.

At the end of the checkup session, each patient was provided with some refreshments sponsored by CBL (Ceylon Biscuits Limited) and with the help of the supportive hands of the village. In addition to that, a pharmacy unit was established so that the patients can get the prescribed medicine for free. All the pharmaceutical drugs were provided by the Regional Divisional Health Office, Anuradhapura free of charge. At the end of the day, the doctors and the other medical officers were presented with Ayurvedic herbal plants as tokens of appreciation for their valuable service.

After a meaningful day, “Healing Hands – 2020”, the annual health camp conducted in aid of the needy, marked its conclusion by succeeding in rekindling new hope in those destitute minds.