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NEWSLETTER

EDITORIAL

Robert Frost, a phenomenal poet of his times, had a unique ability to look within otherwise very mundane events, often set in rural living and raise these to reflect deeper socially and philosophically relevant thoughts. "In the Home Stretch", a rather lengthy work, he writes -

"Ends and beginnings-there are no such things. There are only middles."

And when one is stepping into what seems a new start, it is difficult to refute his words for every beginning does mark the end of something and every end is nothing but the beginning of something new. And so we are, forever in transition, between all beginnings and ends. And so, even as this is the first copy of “The Communiqué”, it is also the continuation of our effort to reach you, albeit this time in a different way.

On the face of it, the name sounds simple, perhaps even to the point of lacking creativity. But “The Communiqué” goes deeper than that – it is for us, an opportunity to connect to so many of our readers within the organization and outside, it is also an opportunity to review the happenings and connect to our own selves. And essential this is, not just so we can reach you, but also so you can reach us that we may not stagnate within our own selves.

Being the first for the official newsletter, this editorial was special and warranted an extra effort. Editorials have been written before, an occasional one here and there, but lacking formal qualification in creative writing, it appeared to me that time had come to train myself with a bit of research on the task. Reading, apart from adding a rich dimension to existing perceptions, also launches one upon a journey that moulds personality, given that action accompanies theoretical knowledge. And reflection follows that action to bring learning. And as such learning matures over time and experience it brings certain calmness, a wisdom that penetrates into every area of an individual’s function, imparting a higher quality to life. A still mind begins to see solutions that are hidden to others. Success in occupation is just one of the various effects of such a life.

"Action Learning", is an integral part of the ICR, and in the course of bringing competency in clinical practice, has often also brought radical changes in the perception of education and a refinement into living of those who have had the faith and courage to venture into it.

The ICR Group of Organisations cannot boast of state-of-the-art facilities at many of its centres and we operate for most out of modest, unfashionable set ups. But what remains irrefutable is the complete commitment to every task, be it in the area of education, research or clinical services. The physicians seek little beyond their work relentlessly striving to live upto the mission of the organisation.

The recent seminar on Research Methodology and Biostatistics in Homoeopathic Practice conducted by the MLD Trust in association with the research department of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, the incorporation of a multidisciplinary approach and similar such associations and ventures by various homoeopathic institutions, are widening the avenues, proving how far the roots of Homoeopathy have spread and paving the path to a truly holistic experience for the physician and patient alike.

Through "The Communiqué" it will be our endeavor to share with you our experiences, developments and updates relating to our all our activities. The focus for the present will be our centres in and around Pune. As our companions along the same path, we welcome you to share your thoughts, experiences and feedbacks with us. And we hope the next issue of “The Communiqué” shall see the publishing of a “Reader’s Forum” alongside the editorial.

We conclude then, towards another beginning, in the words of John Ashbery

And so we turn the page over To think of starting. This is all there is…

Dr. Tamanna Chellani

A TRYST WITH DESTINY

Medical care in rural areas poses an entirely different challenge to the physician who ventures with a single mindedness and purity of intention in helping the ailing. Often the struggle is not only of the ill patient, but also of the well meaning and yet occasionally helpless physician. And when the outcome spells success, the joy is shared, surmounting all differences proving yet again the oneness that binds all hearts together, universally.

In Aandhgaon, a small village, near Pirangut, regularly attended to by the MLD Trust mobile services, our physicians learnt lessons on human life and the influence politics can have on it.

We present an account by the attending physicians:

In her first visit to us, Reshma, 18 years old had come to us with reports that clearly indicated a congenital heart disease, ASD (Atrial Septal Defect). Surgery was imperative, but the biggest hurdle she faced was funds, or so we thought at that point of time.

Destiny had brought her a chance to get a new lease of life when the KEM hospital offered to operate upon her. This was when she was 13 years old. All preparations had been done by the school teacher but the mother alarmed by stories of possible consequences of a surgery refused to sign the consent. Since then the girl remained at home, suffering from chest pain and breathlessness.

Her teacher requested us to take up this matter and offer her help. We got an assurance from the mother of taking responsibility and providing consent. An estimated sum of Rs.1.7 lakh was needed for Reshma’s surgery. We decided to try to raise funds through government aid and simultaneously look for private donors as well. The process required us to go through certain protocol for requesting government aid. Certain basic documents were asked for. Meanwhile, we continued with our efforts to reduce her suffering through medicines and met her for follow up visits every week.

Suddenly then, she disappeared, and did not report for 3 months. We were left in confusion. Eventually when she did come, she revealed the true picture of her difficulty. Her uncle an influential person in a respectable position in the village did not approve of her seeking donation, as he felt this could affect his reputation. We sought to discuss the matter with him, but failed. For 6 months, her brother too kept running from pillar to post as no one paid heed to this young teenager. That the necessary documents were in the uncle’s possession complicated things further.

Yet, unable to leave her to the mercy of destiny, we persisted in our efforts and got reference to Dr. Shiv Gupta, a cardiologist from Inlacs and Budhrani hospital, which helps the needy and conducts surgeries for them at very low costs. They offered the surgery at a cost of Rs. 1.3 lakh. The social service cell of the hospital would arrange Rs. 90, 000 from various government schemes while hospital donors and the patient were to contribute Rs. 30,000. We assured them that we would arrange for the required amount on behalf of the patient. We asked her family to necessary arrangements. Her uncle too had initiated effort to get her operated. Our efforts in different directions were not useful at all. We approached him once again with help from a senior member of their family. This gentleman convinced the uncle. This tipped the scale and we got the necessary documents within one week. Reshma’s mother stood by us through the entire ordeal.

All official procedure taken care of, a date was decided for the surgery. The funds were yet to be collected. We intended to campaign for donations for this cause, but even before we could start, as if from the heavens, came three benefactors - who took entire responsibility of the funds needed. Mr Bani of Deviprabhu Charitable Trust, Mr Naresh Wadhwani of Mangalmurti Developments and Mr Gopal Jeswani of Ajay Engineering Tools contributed generously to the cause. We now waited with bated breath for the outcome. Finally after a successful surgery, Reshma came back home. Our happiness knew no bounds.

Sincere efforts to help this girl had overcome all difficulties and challenges thrown up by different circumstances and people. We were now able to establish an effective relationship with the local leaders as well as develop trust amongst the residents of the village. This experience taught us that with persistence, all hurdles can be solved, and that, the community also has to be actively involved in all ventures that we undertake This also helped to set an example in the village that when people come together keeping aside their differences; the action is always more fruitful.

This was followed by another case of a poor widow in the same village, having a heart valve disorder that needed a valvotomy. She was also helped through the same channel and was operated at Inlacs and Budhrani hospital with a donation of Rs. 25,000 from well wishers Mr Rajkumar, Mrs Indira Chugh and Mr Sunil Pawar.

Now, when we travel every week to this village and see improvement in the health of the two women, we feel our efforts were worth their while. The bond of love hat connects us together is renewed every time and our faith in oneness is restored.

RURAL HEALTH SERVICES, Mulshi

The MLD Trust Rural Health Services operational in the Mulshi Taluka have seen nearly 2000 cases in the last year. Two new villages, Kolvan and Kondur, have been added to the mobile services that already visit Paud, Chale, Kule, Belavde and Khechare consistently every week, managing approximately 35-40 patients per visit per village. Consultation and medicines are made available to the villagers at a very nominal cost of Rs. 10/- per week. Several tribal communities also benefit from this service.

The last quarter has seen various activities being conducted towards an objective of holistic health. Efforts to create awareness towards basic health and hygiene have been a constant endeavor. Several difficult cases including an old case of infertility and mental retardation are being successfully managed with homoeopathic medicines. Lakhs of rupees, way beyond their means, had been spent before this, in desperate attempts to find cure, without much result.

The new joint venture with M.T.E Society in bringing quality hospital care to patients from Mulshi, through the Nyayamurti Ranade Homoeopathic Hospital, has helped in successful management of many challenging cases.

A survey targeted at assessing the medical needs of the community, was conducted in association with Sadhana Centre for Management and Leadership Development in March 2009. It is planned to incorporate two more villages that lack adequate medical facilities.

The 4th Gynaecologic Disorder Diagnostic Camp was held on 11th January 2009 in the Zilla Parishad Primary School at Pirangut. Consultants from Sanjeevan Hospital were involved in the proceedings since initial stages. Local government officials and leaders graced the occasion. Having seen the success and benefits of the camp they now feel encouraged to associate in more similar ventures. The Sarpanchs of the various villages where medical camps have been held earlier with support from Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital were felicitated as a gesture of appreciation of their efforts to improve the health status in their villages.

As part of an awareness campaign, a street play was performed by the young student doctors in the team, highlighting the alarming disparity in the male: female ratio due to infant foeticide. This small effort was lauded by all, the officials and villagers.

The camp reached out to 190 patients from various villages around Pirangut – Lavale, Kondur, Aandgaon, Paud, Urawde, Kule, Ghotawde Phata, Khubauli, Athur, and Sutarwadi. All cases requiring investigations and diagnostic procedures were attended to at Deenanath Mangeshkar and Sanjeevan Hospital, free of cost.

The camp’s success is attributed to the conjoint efforts of the villagers and the Pune team including junior doctors, consultants.

ICR HOMOEOPATHIC SPECIALITY CENTRE, Kharalwadi, Pimpri

The ICRHSCNH (ICR Homoeopathic Specialty Centre and Nursing Home) underwent a significant change in profile in October last year, when M.T.E. Society (Maharashtra Technical Education Society) and Dr. M.L. Dhawale Memorial Trust came together to form the N. M. Ranade Homoeopathic Hospital at Karve road. This collaboration promised better infrastructure and in-patient services, and hence resources were moved from the Kharalwadi unit to Karve Road. As a result, ICRSCNH had to be shifted to new premises, a lane away from the old place.

The new set up, now known as ICR Speciality Centre (ICRSC), was sized down to a small set up with only Out Patient (OPD) facility. Most human resource had been transferred. The new team comprised of two senior consultants, four Supervisory Physicians assisted regularly by 2-3 students and 3 ancillary staff members. The change in environment, reduction of staff and treating physicians posed an unnerving yet interesting challenge.

The focus was shifted to semi-charitable OPD services and training units. In spite of an initial drop in the number of patients, the team sustained its efforts to deliver quality care and by the 3rd month, the number of patients steadily increased to equal that of the earlier unit.

Presently the physicians see around 500 patients at an average per month with an addition of 15-20 new patients every month. The response to homoeopathy in the new location has been faster and better than had been expected. The unit is now also able to contribute towards the organisational mission of reaching quality medical care to the underprivileged.

The team’s efforts were boosted by one of the patients who also contributed Rs. 15000/- towards development of the unit.

In the coming year, the team at ICRSC plans to focus on the special OPDs which received a setback after the relocation. Presently, the unit has functional special OPDs for Diabetes, Skin, Asthma, Rheumatology and Paediatrics. A plan for day –care medical facilities is also on the cards.

N.M. RANADE MEMORIAL HOMOEOPATHIC HOSPITAL
– A Joint Venture of M.T.E Society and Dr. M.L. Dhawale Memorial Trust

Dr. M.L. Dhawale Memorial Trust joined hands with the Maharashtra Technical Education Society to start the N.M. Ranade Homoeopathic Hospital in October last year. The hospital is located adjoining to Dhondumama Sathe Homoeopathic Medical College. The Sanjeevan Hospital, run by the Jnana Prabodhini Trust also operates within the same premises.

The facilities available at N.M. Ranade Homoeopathic Hospital include Specialty Medicine OPDs for Oncology (Cancer), Geriatrics (Disorders of Old Age), Cardiology (Heart Ailments) Rheumatology (Bone & Joint Disorders), and Diabetes and Thyroid disorders apart from a daily General OPD for all complaints.

In keeping with the Trust’s mission of reaching quality medical care to the underprivileged, a free OPD service is available daily during fixed hours.

A special ‘Mother & Child Centre’ has been launched within this set-up with dedicated OPDs for ‘healthy mother’ and ‘healthy child’ on all days of the week. Earlier in the year, Dr. M.L. Dhawale Memorial Trust had organized a fund raising drive to further its efforts in the field of mother & child care.

Within the first quarter of its operation, the out patient department has seen a consistent and steady growth in the number of patients.

The Mother & Child Care Out-patient and In-patient Departments (OPD & IPD) are advised by Dr. Girish Godbole, Head of Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. The in – patient segment avails of the well equipped Labour room and Primary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the co-existing Sanjeevan Hospital.

The NMRMHH IPD facility can accommodate 25 in - patients and also has a minor procedure room with trained nursing staff. Various categories of rooms are available. A Minor Operation Theatre is underway and will be an added advantage facilitating holistic care in cases that require surgical help.

Various complicated medical conditions like Unstable angina, Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, Cancers, Obstructive Lung Diseases, Tubercular Arthritis, and Mental Diseases etc have been successfully managed in the IPD.

The Hospital has a functional association with Dr. Mandar Paranjpe M.D. (Pathology), with whose help it has become possible to provide reliable pathological test at subsidised rate to our patients. A similar association has recently been established also with Sanjeevan Hospital to provide radiological investigation to patients at concession rates.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES - AN OVERVIEW

Dept of Education, ICR, Pune Branch

Of the unusually high ten applications for the full time course in the last term, only six were selected to pursue the curriculum. In the ensuing months, well coordinated weekly group sessions covered in systematic details all aspects of the Standardised Case Record (SCR), employed by the Institute in all its clinics. This, coupled with training through regular exposure to clinical practice gradually prepared the student doctors for the SCR examination that tests the learner’s competency in the use and application of the case record and thence in the management of the case.

A workshop on the use of the SCR was conducted on 31st Jan. & 1st Feb. after a span of two years. The participants included over 50 practicing homoeopaths and students from Pune, Kolhapur and Aurangabad, many of whom were exposed to such a dynamic learning environment for the first time. An attempt at equipping people and conserving resources was made through an experimental educational module, wherein senior consultants guided the workshop in absentia, while the proceedings were actually conducted by a new team. This facilitated discovery of new potential in the team and boosted motivation & confidence. Smaller group discussions within the workshop with changing group leaders provided the participants with a unique experience of learning.

The SCR Examination was conducted on the 26th of April, 2009. Dedicated discussion sessions and mock tests were held to help the candidates to prepare. 12 candidates from across the country appeared for the examination of which 8 were from Pune.

The Interns Orientation Programme recently completed 15 successful years and a new batch commenced on the 17th of April, 2009.The Medical Officer Training Programme and Supervisor Training Programme have also been restarted on demand.

A new education programme based on case study approach introducing the ICR methodology is on the cards and is likely to be launched within the next quarter of the year. This programme will cater to homoeopathic interns and practising physicians. It is expected to run in series exclusively on Sundays.

DEVELOPING AN ACTION LEARNING CULTURE IN HOMOEOPATHIC
COLLEGE- THE ICR WAY

Dear Friends,

We have great pleasure in drawing your attention to how our alumni are holding forth the values, the principles and the methods of training and learning homeopathy the 'ICR Way' i.e. basing the teaching on the fundamental principles of Action Learning-a method which was so dear to our guru and founder, Dr. M. L. Dhawale.

Dr. Yogesh Niturkar after completing his M.D. in Materia Medica from the MLDMHI started working in a old age home giving free service to the inmates. Not content with this (which in itself was a very unique act), he inspired some of the interns of the Homoeopathic College to join him. They did so and found that Homoeopathy really works and is valued as a system of medicine which delivers without causing any side effects. Later, he joined as lecturer in KSPM Homeopathic College, Latur. He has utilized unique methods of inspiring and guiding students towards developing the right attitude for learning Homoeopathy and thus serving society. Here is a letter by Dr Yogesh about what he did on Hahnemann Day in the college.

Way back to 1999 - 2000, during my final year BHMS, I was fortunate to attend Dr. Hahnemann’s birthday at Mangalore, as we were on a college tour in that area. I was very much pleased to see how they were celebrating the birthday by conducting various cultural activities like a festival. Again in the ICR I witnessed Hahnemann’s day celebrated with an academic presentation.

What I had witnessed in Mangalore and at ICR gave me a motivation to develop similar type of culture at KSPM’s HMC by doing something more than a routine arrangement of flowers, guests and shutdown of the function without any fruitful activity. Therefore I wanted it to celebrate our Master’s birthday with some kind of knowledge oriented activity. I wanted it to be done without any force or compulsion or telling them to do this or that.

About 2 weeks prior to Hahnemann Day, I circulated papers advising them to pen down the way they want to celebrate the birthday. This was a new idea to them because they were used to following instructions given to them. This led to generation of various ideas like organizing competitions, camps, public awareness camp on Homoeopathy, rally, blood donation, circulating pamphlets on Homoeopathy, etc. After scrutinizing and discussing the details, we decided to celebrate our master’s birthday from 8 April to 10 April by conducting different activities like Essay Competition, Quiz and Seminar based on Homoeopathy and General knowledge.

I guided the Final BHMS students and they followed the action plan very efficiently, enthusiastically and with full dedication. The three day celebration of Hahnemann’s birthday was one of its kind in the college. The effort of getting work done from students was comparatively less as compared to earlier events on the Library exhibition and AIDS Awareness camp. I felt it was an achievement of motivating students to act and learn, as well as to participate in sharing knowledge. The students are getting on the track of developing a positive attitude towards self and Homoeopathy, as well as they are developing an insight through participation in some learning based activities going on in the college. Each student has some expectations from the college particularly about quality and I am trying to fulfill at least a few of these by being receptive to their problems, diverting their minds from negativity to positivity, encouraging them and without using any force, keeping them busy in self-based action learning activities with a view to channelize their energies for a good cause. The different strategies of getting work done was by remaining polite and humble which appeared to initiate a lot of good results, the circumstances being created automatically. I am only directing the flow under the guidance my seniors in the ICR. We are working on OPD development but as the inspection is due and due to other pending work, the management is out of focus for the time being. I have to wait for Clinical training and definitely the condition will be different within few months. Let’s hope for the best.

This is my humble tribute to our Master Dr. Samuel Hahnemann and MLD sir for formulating ICR ideology and creating humble teachers to guide us from time to time.

Thank you for everything.

- Dr. Yogesh D. Niturkar
M.D. (Hom) ICR, Mumbai

Report of the unveiling ceremony of The bust of Dr. M. L. Dhawale

The Trust is proud and happy to announce that, on the 16th March, it has established at its Palghar hospital a bust of the late Dr. M. L. Dhawale. He was a teacher and a visionary and his is the vision of service and of holistic health that the Trust is trying to clarify and actualize. The Bust was unveiled by His Holiness Swami Poornakamanandaji, Head of the Shri Ramakrishna Math, Mangalore. The bust has been sculpted by Shri Sadashiv (Bhau) Sathe & Shri Siddhartha Sathe.

The function was also memorable for another reason. Many old patients, colleagues and associates of Dr. M. L. Dhawale, a multi-faceted personality, shared their memories with the audience. All brought out, in some way or another, his love of knowledge, his discipline, his vast intellectual prowess which was nonetheless governed by a deep compassion and concern for his patients and his students.

The audience was fortunate to have as speakers, three of his four children, Dr. K. M. Dhawale and Dr. (Mrs.) Ujjwala Pendse, are deeply involved with the work of the Trust, and Dr. Ashok M. Dhawale, who carries his torch of service to humanity through his political work.

Dr. Anand R. Kapse, Director, Palghar Hospital, was the convener for the function.

A note in passing – in keeping with the tradition of service before self-preferences, the expenses for the bust and the function have been borne, not by the Trust, but personally by the faculty and the past students of the ICR. Contributions on the account are welcome and may be made to the Dr. M. L. Dhawale Memorial Homoeopathic Institute.

DR. M. L. DHAWALE MEMORIAL HOMOEOPATHIC INSTITUTE, PALGHAR PG-ROTP ON MATERIA-MEDICA:

Under the ROTP scheme of AYUSH the PG ROTP in Materia Medica on module-ONE was conducted at Palghar from 25th February 2008 to 1st March 2008.

Subject:
This module dealt with the different ways of studying Materia-Medica, like: Physiological, Toxicological, Pathological, Psychological, Constitutional, Temperamental, Chronological, Evolutionary and phenomenological etc.

Methodology:
The sessions were conducted by integrating valuable clinical & the vast academic experience of the resource persons. This helped in bridging the gap of THEORY v/s PRACTICE. Case material was circulated well in advance wherever required. Time was given to the participants along with library & internet facilities to make references. Session was conducted in the form of group discussion & all the queries raised by the group were addressed effectively by the resource persons. Attempt was made to streamline a certain standardized approach to the study of materia medica. Small group tasks were also given and group members presented their understanding. This activity had overwhelming response from the group.

Group Response:
23 Teachers from various colleges all over India including readers & HODs attended the ROTP. Expectations were high from the institute as it is known as a Centre of excellence.

All the group members participated actively in group discussions raising important queries from time to time. At the end of the each session all participants were quite satisfied with the programme & the facilities that were provided. They have appreciated the approach to teaching materia medica from various angles using source books, repertory, commentators & are also motivated to apply the same in teaching their students in the same manner. From their daily reports it was clear that the Institute was able to satisfy the expectations to a great extent. Most of the group members have felt the need to participate in these types of sessions more often at the MLDMHI.