SERVICE PROJECTS

TEJASVINI LIONS BLOOD BANK
TEJASVINI HOSPITAL, KADRI, MANGALORE

Lions clubs international has been rendering Humanitarian service ever since 1917. Its legacy has been carried forward by 1.4 million members in more than 210 countries in various fields of service. In various fields of service. In 98 years, The Lions have grown from strength to strength in worldwide service activities. As the centennial year is nearing, Lions are exploring many fields wherein they can contribute to the health of world population.” If the society is healthy, nation will progress”.

Lions have contributed to a large extent towards “sight first” programs. More than 15 million sight first programs have been carried out in India itself. Eye donation, Cataract surgeries, Spectacles distribution and eradication of river blindness are the important categories.
Blood Donation is another field of life saving program. As the population in our Country is increasing, there is a Steady increase in the requirement of Blood. Blood Banks have been installed in many a hospitals. In the year 2010-11, one such sophisticated blood bank was inaugurated in Tejasvini Hospital at Mangalore with the participation and help of Lions District 324-D4 (Presently 317-D). This “state of the art” blood bank has been functioning ever since then and catering to the demands of general public. Dr.M.Shantharam Shetty, the world famous Orthopaedic Surgeon and a past District Lions Governor J.K.Rao.More than 100 Blood Donation Camps have been conducted so far. Thanks to the Voluntary Donations of the Lions members together with local service minded philanthropists.

“LIONS TEJASVINI DIALYSIS CENTER”

“Lions Tejasvini Dialysis Center” was established in November 2013 as a Mega District Project of Lions District 317-D.Talking into consideration the grim picture and the plight of ESRD patients, I approached Dr.M.Shantharam Shetty, Chairman, Tejasvini Hospital, and our Past District Governor, whether we could start a renal Hemo Dialysis Center at Tejasvini Hospital .His immediate positive response for the project encouraged me to proceed ahead. Dr.Shantharam Shetty took up the challenge single – handed, contacted Sri.N.V.Hegde, the Chancellor of Nitte University and Dr.Shashidhar Baikunje, Professor of Nephrology at K.S.Hegde Medical Academy, who assured their fullest support and that the Lions Tejasvini Dialysis Center was established and inaugurated on 3rd November 2013. But for the total involvement of Dr.M.Shantharam Shetty our dream would not have been a reality.

A Memorandum of Understanding was entered into and the Centre started functioning from day one. Tejasvini Hospital provided space, and all other infrastructure including the interior works, Air-conditioning R.O.Plant, Staff support and Management of the Centre at their own cost. The hospital took up the responsibility of running the Centre. Poor patients and patients referred by Lions Clubs are charged at concessional rates. Those patients requiring higher treatment including renal transplant were being referred to Justice K.S.Hegde Hospital Deralakatte who extended medical support throughout, to the Centre.

Lions District 317-D provided support by way of donating 2 Dialysis Machines to this project and other logistic support including consumables whenever necessary .For the convenience of Administration LIONS DISTRICT 317-D SEVA TRUST (REGD.) will represent the lions clubs and lions District 317-D will be represented by its Chairman or Trustees nominated by the Trust. The Hospital is charging very nominal rate to the Trust for the dialysis referred by them. The Trust is making payment of the Bill every month. So far, we have referred 24 poor patients to the Centre for Dialysis and all the patients were given free Dialysis by Lions. Until September 2014 all the patients were given free dialysis twice or thrice a week.From October 2014 onwards free dialysis was restricted to one per week due to paucity of funds. Tejasvini Hospitals added 2 more machines at their cost and at present there are 4 Dialysis Machines at the Centre. The total number of free dialysis provided by LIONS TEJASVINI DIALYSIS CENTRE till date stands at 1773 involving Rs.12.24 Lakhs. As on date, 14 patients are undergoing dialysis referred by our Trust and every month 65 free dialysis are provided. Lion P.S. Prabhakar of Lions Club, Mangalore is rendering his service as the Liason officer and following up the activities of the Centre. The list of patients is enclosed herewith.

The Trust has got Income Tax exemption under Section 80(G) and putting in best efforts to collect donations to serve more number of patients. Presently 4 dialysis machines are working and Dr.M.Shantharam Shetty, Chairman of Tejasvini Hospital & SSIOT and his team of Doctors & Staff are managing the Centre very effectively. Our sincere thanks to Tejasvini Hospital and Justice K.S.Hegde Hospital.

The Trustees of the Lions District 317-D Seva Trust are continuing their sincere efforts to serve more number of needy patients in the days to come.

(LION K.C.PRABHU pmjf)
Past District Governor &
Founder Trustee