LN4 Project at Noida

The Rotary Club of Poona Downtown recently conducted its third consecutive LN4 camp at Noida, hosted by the Rotary Club of Noida. The event, called Udaan, aimed to provide prosthetic limbs to those in need. This year, 31 LN4 hands were distributed to beneficiaries, while prosthetic legs were arranged by the Spark Minda Foundation.

The camp was inaugurated by Shri. Manish Kumar Varma, District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar. Representatives from the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown, including Rtn. Vinod Dua and volunteers Hassan Shaikh and Manoj Disale, attended the event. Dr. Mohita Sharma, President of the Rotary Club of Noida, and Rtn. PP Ram Grovher were instrumental in organizing the camp. It was a indeed a heartwarming camp, spreading smiles and transforming lives.

Inali ‘Hands-on’ Gujarat Yatra

A team from Gift of Mobility, RCPD comprising of Richard Lobo, Pradeep Munot and Gautam Idnani with trainer Hassan Sheikh left Pune  and traversed  by road from Surat onwards to Anand, Jamnagar, Junagadh & Gandhinagar covering 1000 + kms over 9 days.  The 5 camps enabled 150 (incl. 5 bilateral) beneficiaries to have a better (hand)grip on their lives / livelihood as exemplified by comments from one of the attendees:

“Dear Inali Foundation and Rotary Club,

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your kindness and generosity in providing a prosthetic hand to a young girl with special needs. Your selfless act has not only empowered her physically but has also brought hope and confidence into her life. Your organisation's commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others is truly inspiring, and I feel honoured to be part of this journey….”. These were the feelings of the one of the attendees.

The hosts of the 5 camps were: RC Surat Metro, RC Anand, RC  Jamnagar, RC Junagadh and Lions Club of Gandhinagar Femina, which were ably coordinated by  Rtn Sharad Sheth, RID 3060 Gift of Mobility Director.

 PREVENTING CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer can be caused by persistent HPV infections, and the vaccine can drastically reduce the risk of this preventable disease. Despite its proven benefits, the uptake in India has been slow. Given that most women encounter HPV soon after becoming sexually active, vaccination plays a pivotal role in prevention.

Recent efforts signal a turning point in cervical cancer prevention.  Gardasil, the first vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) was licensed in India in 2008.   More recently, in 2022 a less expensive indigenous vaccine Cervavac was launched in India.  This gives an opportunity to vaccinate a larger number of girls.  Government initiatives have begun integrating HPV vaccination into the universal immunization program in some states, targeting girls aged 9 to 14 years, marking a critical step towards achieving the WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer globally by 2030. 

Targeted public education campaigns

Increased vaccination of adolescents.

Engage community leaders and influencers

Encourage workplace vaccination programs.

Rotary Club of Poona Downtown (RCPD) has initiated the first vaccination camp in collaboration with Jivika Healthcare and  Sane Guruji School for Girls, Hadapsar.

On Monday, 24th February  the first round of 347 girls between 9 to 14 years of age were vaccinated with Gardasil 4.  RCPD will be extending this progeny to include atleast 1500 girls.  RCPD is thankful to Jivika Healthcare Team and Dr. Anil Gujar and his Team at Sane Guruji Hospital