International Asthma Services
P.K.Vedanthan M.D. is a native of
Need for International Asthma Services:
Bronchial asthma is a worldwide problem affecting millions of individuals, both adults and children. It is the most common cause of chronic childhood disease and causes a very high degree of morbidity, loss of man-hours and school hours, and loss of millions of dollars as a whole.
Several thousands of people die due to asthma each year, and the morbidity due to asthma worldwide has been steadily increasing for the past decade. There are several reasons for this rise in mortality. One of the major causes is the lack of education among the patients, as well as among the general physicians about the disease process and medications. Most of the deaths reported are due to under-treatment rather than over-treatment. Several of these hospitalizations are preventable by earlier intervention and proper education of the patients, their families, and their physicians.
With these ideas in mind, the concept of the International Asthma Services was initiated by our group of physicians in the late 1980's.
Aims of International Asthma Services:
- To serve the needy asthmatics in different parts of the world.
- To educate patients and their families regarding asthma and related medical conditions.
- To facilitate transfer of equipment and educational materials.
- To conduct free asthma camps and distribute essential medications.
- To facilitate educational opportunities for interested and qualified medical personnel.
- To transfer educational materials and technology to medical personnel and hospitals.
- To improve the care of asthma patients worldwide
No Smoking Clinic:
Educational materials (audio, video, and pamphlets) will be available to educate the public regarding smoking cigarettes and their deleterious affect on health, as well as socio-economical factors. Group discussions regarding "Quit Smoking" programs, as well as modalities are available. Nicotine patches and gums will be available for distribution and usage. Motivational materials will be made available on a rental basis to participants. Clinics need to be conducted by paramedical personnel supervised by a chest physician on a regular basis.
Allergy Clinics:
Facilities for appropriate allergy skin testing for diagnosis and treatment by immunotherapy (allergy injections) may be developed in the future depending upon the needs and resources.
Asthma Camps:
- Usually
conducted as Day Camps at local hospitals or clinics with the help
of the local Rotarians,
physicians and volunteers. Dates, days and times are selected for the
camps. Generally camps are held on weekends, from
- Training session for volunteer physicians and medical personnel are conducted from
- Space needed: A hall to facilitate holding clinics on an outpatient basis with tables, chairs, exam tables and other essential basic equipments. Generally 8 to 10 physicians will be examining and interviewing patients simultaneously.
- Limit the number of patients to be evaluated per day to 100. All medical records will be given to the local sponsoring Rotary Club(s).
- Free medical samples need to be obtained from local pharmaceutical companies, physicians, as well as donated by the IAS.
- The cases are screened by the volunteer physicians, using standardized history and physical forms. Selected cases are discussed and treatment programs are instituted after consulting with the visiting specialist.
- Follow-up visits are
arranged with the local physicians, as well as with the
- Personnel needed: 10 Volunteer Physicians; 10 Nursing Personnel; 10 Rotary Volunteers; Educational facilities; and Pharmaceutical representatives or volunteers.
- Appropriate publicity regarding these camps need to be done by the local Rotary Club(s).
Respiratory
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory is established at a general hospital which is easily accessible to the local population. The laboratory is under the direction of a qualified physician who will help interpret the results of the completed tests, as well as educate the technical personnel and other physicians/medical students.
Equipment made available include:
- Spirometer: A portable equipment used to measure the capacity of the lungs - a functional measure which is very helpful in objectively evaluating the patient's condition. The measuring can be performed by a trained person. Results are easily interpreted.
- Oximeter: A fairly sophisticated instrument which is very easy to administer. Used externally, this equipment measures the oxygen concentration in a patient's circulation (PaO2). It can also be measured during an exercise test, as well as in the Intensive Respiratory Care unit.
- Nebulization Set-Up: The Nebulization unit is to facilitate effective administration of different inhalant medications to patients in acute respiratory distress, as well as under stable conditions.
- Oxygen Concentrator: It will facilitate the conversion of atmospheric oxygen in the room air to a concentrated oxygen supply for selected patients.
- Ventilator Set-Up: This is a sophisticated equipment used for artificial ventilation of incubated patients in the intensive care units. Trained personnel need to operate this set-up.
Your Help is Needed:
To achieve these goals, we need to have a planned allotted facility where we have an excellent infrastructure, premier medical institutions and medical colleges to develop the goals stated.
We are planning to expand these services world-wide in the next five years. It seems quite logical to believe that this will be possible, especially with the help of Rotary International, pharmaceutical companies and tax-deductible contributions.
All
your contributions may be tax-deductible. Tax ID# 84-1270362.
(501C-3 Organization)
For information regarding donations, please
contact:
veda@lamar.colostate.edu
Accomplishments:
- We have conducted several free asthma camps with the help of Rotary International and local Rotary Clubs in different parts of the world, especially in India. Nearly 15,000 patients have been evaluated at such camps. Educational materials, as well as some equipment and free medications have been distributed.
- We assist the local physicians in educating patients about asthma, and also conduct continuing medical education for the physicians.
- We have started a no-smoking clinic, as well as educational seminars for various communities. Our doctors also appear on the radio and television for mass education.
- We are involved in clinical research in asthma, allergies, and related disorders.
- We have developed respiratory care centers in Karnataka, India; Mombasa and Nairobi, Kenya; Manila, Philippines; and Port Louis, Mauritius, where we have fully functional Pulmonary Lung Function Lab facilities for both in and out-patient evaluations and treatment.
- We
also operate free clinics for both children and adults who cannot afford
medical care in
Areas Served:
- INDIA: Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
- Kenya:
- Philippines: Makati-Alaya,
- Mauritius:
- Seychelles: Mahe
Involvement Statistics:
- Number of Patients Seen at No Charge .......28,000
- Number of Camps Held....................................106
- Number of Physician Volunteers........................325
- Number
of Nurse Volunteers.............................400
- Number of Rotary Volunteers............................400
INTERNATIONAL ASTHMA SEVICES (IAS) UPDATE : 2005
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE UPDATED ACTIVITIES OF IAS:
IAS CHAPTERS:
- IAS CHAPTER IN
- IAS CHAPTER IN CHENNAI,
- IAS CHAPTER IN
- IAS Chapter in
- IAS Chapter in BARRACKPORE, W.BENGAL: Under the leadership of MADE IN INDIA Parivar this extremely active IAS chapter has been open for the past 3 years. Daily Asthma and Allrgy clinics and educational activities are being conducted.
- IAS chapter is in the process
of formation under the leadership of Dr Ravi
Sharma and Mr Jitesh
Shah in
- IAS chapter under the supervision of Dr Malbran is under formation in BUENOS AIRES, Argentina SA.
IAS chapters will be shortly being planned in the following locations:
- Mapusa,
ADOPT AN ASTHMATIC SCHEME OF IAS:
Under this scheme started in Chennai under the leadership of Dr Sridhar, economically disadvantaged asthmatics will be supplied asthma medications FREE thro the year with FREE professional services. It is estimated that $ 150 per year will support the medicational needs of ONE asthmatic. Please donate your valuable dollars to this scheme of IAS.
ALLERGY-ASTHMA TRAINING PROGRAM:
IAS is actively pursuing negotiations with
PLACEMENT SERVICES:
IAS is involved in setting up Allergy-Asthma Centers with interested and qualified individuals in locations with significant need for such services. For further details regarding this issue, feel free to contact Dr Mahesh at mahesh1971in@yahoo.com or Dr Vedanthan at pkv1947@yahoo.com.
CME activities of IAS:
IAS has partnered with several professional organizations and medical
institutions in conducting CME activities for interested physicians in
different parts of
Research activities of IAS:
IAS is pursuing several research projects in the field of Allergy, asthma and Immunology under the leadership of Drs. Vedanthan & Mahesh. Please contact if interested in associating with these activities.
IAS AWARDS OF RECOGNITION
IAS has established LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS to be bestowed on selected
physicians in the field of Allergy & Asthma through the Indian
Future Locations Planned:
Board of Directors:
Chairman: Dr. P.K. Vedanthan,
Secretary: Dr. Suri Suresh,
Members: Mr. David Witham,
Dr. Rajesh Vedanthan,
Ms. Ranjani Vedanthan,
Headquarters:
Phone: (970) 493-5290; Fax: (970) 221-9654.
Web Location:www.internationalasthmaservices.com
Email Contact:veda@lamar.colostate.edu
pkv1947@yahoo.com
