Successful Free Health Fair and Mammography at Adhikaar

On July 11, 2010 Adhikaar successfully organized a free health fair in collaboration with the Association of Nepali Physicians in America (ANPA). Over 100 individuals benefited from free blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other general health screening services. In addition, 42 women over forty years received free mammogram. Adhikaar organizes two mammography events every year in partnership with American Italian Cancer Foundation and Multi Diagnostics.


Shanta Shah, one of the beneficiaries of the health fair shared, “The health fair was very well-planned this year. It went smoothly, so I did not have to wait.” She further added, “The doctors provided good consultation.”

Most of the attendees of the health fair could not afford health insurance, and many of those who did, suffered from the lack of Nepali interpreters in the hospitals. Dibyashori Shakya of Woodside expressed her appreciation for the interpretation services at the health fair, and confided, “Due to language problem, I cannot frequent the hospital without company. Adhikaar’s interpreters made it easy to communicate [with the nurses during mammography].”

Lobsang Dorjee, one of regular participants at Adhikaar’s English for Empowerment classes commented, “I am very thankful to Adhikaar for providing access to basic health screening that I would not have been able to access otherwise.”

ANPA Chair, Dr. Rekha Hamal Chetry, lauded Adhikaar on the efficient organization of the health fair. She also shared, “We do not have to go to the remote hills of Nepal to help our brothers and sisters who are in need.” She added, “Adhikaar gave us the opportunity to serve Nepali community New York. We understand the needs and lifestyle of the Nepali community better, so the community members weren’t hesitant to communicate with us.”

Adhikaar would like to thank all the volunteers who came in early and stayed in till late despite the World Cup final match. Some pictures of the health fair are attached here: http://picasaweb.google.com/adhikaar/20100711#.

We would also like to thank the following individuals from ANPA for their valuable time and service during the health camp.

Lila Rajaka (Nurse)

Rita Shrestha (Nurse)

Bidhya Bista (Nurse)

Saroj Prakash Kandel, MD

Dron Gauchan, MD

Harish Mahaseth, MD

Padam Neopane, MD

Bhupendra Wagley, MD

Yogita Shah, MD

Binod Shah, MD

Rekha H. Chetry, MD

Adhikaar is organizing another free mammogram in November 2010. If you’d like to attend, or know someone who would benefit from it, please call us at 718-937-1117.