Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Location : Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extn., A-14, Kalkaji Extensions, Govindpuri, Opp. Transit Camp, New Delhi – 110019
Contact No. : 91-11-40561453

Email : support@deepalaya.org
Coordinator : Headmistress - Deepalaya School Kalkaji Extn.

Commenced From : 25th February, 2005
Funding Agency : Dewan Foundation
Beneficiary Number : 11958 (As on November 2006)

Brief Profile
Deepalaya with 28 years of experience in the field of education for the disadvantaged, thought of reaching out and incorporating the different aspects of the community by widening its arms to health, gender equity, disability, income enhancement, life skill training etc. It felt the need to have a health clinic, as health is a vital component for well being of a community and the slums of Delhi were proving to be low in this issue. We, therefore, make every effort to provide a wholesome and effective mechanism to promote, prevent and rehabilitate health.

In our years of providing services to the children and community, it was observed by us that the health services are scarce and there are no qualified doctors accessible in the locality. For this reason, Deepalaya established the A.P. Dewan Memorial Clinic aided by Dewan Foundation, with the aim of providing the basic health services to the slum community - especially women and children living in the vicinity of the school. In addition provisions for an annual health check up for the school children are made with the school.

The clinic functions five days a week, between 2.30 pm to 5 pm in the evenings. It runs under an experienced and well-qualified doctor who is assisted by an attendant. On an average 25 to 30 patients visit the clinic everyday. In order to ensure community contribution as well as keeping in view of Deepalaya’s policy of “nothing for free”, Deepalaya charges Rs.10/- as registration fee for a period of six months and also bears 50% of the cost of the medicine. It, moreover, makes available some medicines free of cost to the patient.
Deepalaya identified a chemist from the community who would supply the prescribed medicines. The chemist charges only 50% of the medicine cost as Deepalaya supports half the cost of the medicine. To avoid discrepancies and misuse by the recommended chemist, Deepalaya regularly verifies the medicine bills with the prescribed medicines, brand and availability of the medicines. The Assistant at the clinic frequently visits the communities to know about the status of the community.
Common ailments of females in the area of intervention are dyspepsia, gastritis, pelvic inflammatory menorhagia, dermatitis fungal, anemia, polyartmalgia lumbago boils (summer and winter), the children suffer from respiratory tract infection, diarrhea while the men folk suffer from polyarthralegic, gastritis, respiratory tract infections etc.
The clinic regularly conducts Medical Camps for the communities in the vicinity to impart and create awareness among the slum dwellers from the common/ communicable diseases, T.B., Cancer, sicknesses arising out from acute climatic conditions. We also stress the importance of hygienic living, proper sanitation, health care through periodical health check ups and preventive health measures through immunization, pre-post natal care etc. The camps are organized in different phases at a time.
During the camp the Doctors and assistants turn the attention of the community to the various communicable diseases, sickness surfacing from climatic settings of the time and to develop a sense of personal hygiene, cleanliness, sanitation. Besides this, a demo presentation of Oral Re-hydration Solution (ORS) is also shown. A PS (public sound) system is positioned to effectively attract the attention of the community members, broadcasting the advantage of attending the camp as well making it known to the community about the Clinic.
Awareness campaigns are also carried out by the Clinic on health, hygiene, communicable/ non-communicable diseases and sickness arising with change of seasons. During these campaigns the Doctors make the people aware about the ailments and their prevention methods.
The Clinic has also refer some cases to the Government Hospitals/ Institutions when they are needed to be treated by specialized Doctors in the concerned illness. With the approach in delivery time of the mothers-to-be, they are referred to Government Hospitals for safe delivery of the baby. Some Tuberculosis cases have been referred to the DOTs (Direct Observed Treatment Centres)/ AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) for treatment. During the recent dengue outbreak the Clinic referred around three cases to AIIMS, which needed advanced treatment.
A tabular representation is shown below to give an idea about the number of patients since it’s opening and the pie chart depicts the representation of patients from the month of January to November 2006.

Vision of the Project

Deepalaya aims to provide quality health services at an affordable/ subsidized cost in the communities. Deepalayha promotes A.P.Dewan Memorial Clinic to be a community aid whereby the slum dwellers will utilize the treatment benefits to the optimum level and in turn reach out to as many beneficiaries possible.
To create a valuable and sustainable means in order to develop a demand for access to health services, especially in the fields of reproductive and child health, AIDS awareness for weaker sections of the society and fostering them to become healthy communities.
Future plans
We plan to reach out to more beneficiaries to endow them with the benefits of the clinic as well as create a sense of well - being amongst them.
How can you help?
Deepalaya as a Non- Governmental organization always welcomes help from individuals, groups or corporates to make a difference in the lives of the marginalized section of the society. You can enable and support us in our effort by

• Giving your time by volunteering at our clinic and during the medical camps as a medical practitioner, attendant or in any other capacities.
• Lending your support as counselors.
• Sponsoring our medical camps.