Appeal to be our North Star: From The Institute of Applied Dermatology IAD

An international appeal from  Dr. S. R. Narahari of The Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in India. The hospital is at the brink of collapse from the impact of COVID-19. Forward from Professor Peter Mortimer.



United Kingdom., December 31, 2020 - /PressReleasePoint/  "The Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kasaragod, Kerala has treated thousands of patients with Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis) and other types of Lymphoedema. The IAD is one of the world’s leading integrative medicine hospitals and has been mentioned as world’s leading lymphology clinic in one of World Health Organisation (WHO) publications. It is a not-for-profit organisation and so survives on charitable donations. Consequently, IAD has been hit very hard financially by not being able to continue its normal practices" said Peter Mortimer, Professor of Dermatological Medicine, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute (Dermatology Unit), St. George's, University of London
 

                   
Dr. S. R. Narahari, MD, DVD, is head of the Institute of Applied Dermatology, a clinic based in Kasaragod, Kerala, India

Photographs Copyright Gemma Levine

Hurdles of IAD's Lymphoedema Journey - The dream of IAD, to provide adequate care for all Lymphatic Filariasis patients at an affordable cost was shattered when the Indian government imposed the countrywide lockdown on March 24th to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus. COVID-19 has created an unexpected economic crisis everywhere. The health care services are not exempt from this, nor IAD and its morale.  Twenty years of IAD's selfless service came to a screeching halt. Travel restrictions, fear to visit hospitals, job loss, and uncertainty of the future all piled up, and patients turned away from hospitals. IAD's in-flow of the patients drastically reduced to a single digit. IAD staff went jobless and voluntarily took unpaid leaves to reduce the economic burden of IAD.

Despite the travel restrictions being lifted, people still curtail their outside activities. The economy is still in shambles; job loss is a daily reality. Lymphatic Filariasis patients generally come from poor economic conditions. It has been IAD's policy to treat every patient who walks in with warmth and care regardless of his social and financial status. About one-fourth of the patients have been treated at a concessional rate, thanks to generous donors. IAD have recognized a few LF patients who urgently require medical care for their condition. Still, IAD cannot provide them with treatment due to a lack of donations. IAD have requested their highly skilled treatment staff to work voluntarily in this challenging situation. But this will not run for long, and IAD is slowly bleeding dry.

The belief that the health care sector is immune to the recession and demand for medical service is relatively constant every time is no more valid. COVID-19 proved it wrong, with many hospitals cutting down their services. Health care workers are losing their jobs. IAD too is at the brink of collapse. So IAD appeal for financial assistance to safeguard their highly-skilled staff as well as treat physically disabled and economically weak patients. IAD has survived due to generous philanthropists and its self-generated income till today, but now without pay, IAD rely on financial support. IAD would be grateful for this gesture, and so will the thousands of patients who can benefit from kind contributions to enhancing the quality of their lives."
 

Appeal by the international group of voluntary collaborators:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV7JI-45zlE

Institute of Applied Dermatology

#MP XVI/575(A), Uliyathadka, Madhur P.O., Kasaragod-671124, Kerala, India. 

Phone: 04994-240862/240863, Mobile+91 8137022233, WhatsApp: 09895588735, e-mail: iadorg@gmail.com

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