Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
The 51st Health Fair was successfully organized by the Midwest Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca, Illinois. The event took place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in the main hall and it was sponsored by Midwest Swaminarayan Temple, Lohana Association of Greater Chicago (LAGC), Gujarati Samaj of Chicago (GSC), Kadva Patidar Samaj (KPS), and Sahiyaru Abhiyan Chicago. The health fair was meant to provide medical checkups to all those who may not be able to afford medical services due to insurance and medical coverage problems. This health fair provided free medical checkups to more than 299 participants.
A team of more than 21 doctors and 110 health care professionals provided volunteer services on this day. Registration and front desk services were provided by Narendra Patel, Rajesh Desai, Harmil Patel, Kadamb Thakkar, Dakshesh Modi and his Team.
All vital data such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, were checked for each participant. These services were provided by Bhavna Thakkar, Nisha Rao, Madhav Bhatt and Jyotsna Patel. The blood sugar testing and consultation were provided by Kishore Chugh, Tejas Patel, and Arti Thakkar
Volunteers worked very hard at the blood sampling tables which were provided by Sonal Thakkar, Vinu Patel, Daya Bhimani, Varsha Patel, Jyoti Patel, and Kevel Patel. Blood samples of 280 patients were collected and sent to the UIC laboratory for testing. These blood reports will be mailed to each patient within three weeks after review by doctors.
The 6 EKG machines were used to provide EKG for males and females over the age of 55 years, continuously operated by volunteers including, Sonal Patel, Dineshri Shah, Shefali Shah, Priyanshi Patel, Naren Barot, Ramesh Thakkar, Druv Patel, and Aakash Thakkar. The EKG results were explained to the patient by Cardiologists Dr. Hetal Gandhi and Dr. Umang Patel.
Physical examination and consultation were provided by primary care physician doctors including Dr. Jayashree Raju, Dr. Yohesh Parikh, Dr. Ashish Patel, Dr. Bhranti Langaliya, and Dr. Kamal Patel. Dr. Rutuja Patel gave guidance and consultation to people with obesity and diabetes.
Dental examination and consultation were provided by Dr. Shaival Patel, Dr. Maitri Shah, and Dr. Vilpa Patel. Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultation was done by Dr. Ramesh Patel, and an Orthopaedic consultation was done by Dr. Nisarg Gandhi. Physical therapy was provided by Sonal Gandhi and Deven Parekh.
The Nutritional, Diet and Diabetes education was provided by Dipti Shah and Sweta Sheth. This time diabetic guidance book (diabetic ni jankari) was published by Swaminarayan temple, the book was edited by Dipti Shah and distributed to the people. The urine analysis was performed by Parul Thakkar, Dimple Thakkar and Krupa Shah
Eye screening and consultation were provided by Dr. Neal Thakkar and Dr. Biren Patel. The Flu shots were provided by Sushila Patel, Gita Patel and Namenda Patel and Narendra Patel. The Ayurvedic consultation was provided by Dr. Umangi Patel while the Chiropractic consultation and services were provided by Dr. Seema Mani
The health fair’s big attraction was 3D foot screening. Mr. Krisna Chitturi tirelessly provided his computerized process and explanation of footprints to almost all participants until 2:00 PM. The well-organized health fair went smoothly with many smiling faces who received the medical services they needed in one place without paying any cost.
This is the 35th year that Jayanti Thakkar has coordinated health fair in various temples in the Chicago land area (1989-2024). This is his 51st health fair, a big milestone for him in providing services to the Indian Community.
The Itasca Swaminarayan temple team also did a great job by providing all the necessary support and time for a good cause for the community. The temple provided tea, coffee, and light snacks to all patients and lunch for the volunteers. Jayanti Thakkar thanked all the volunteers for their valuable time in providing free volunteer services for many years and their continued support.
