
BY A STAFF REPORTER
NORWALK, CA - The South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SAHARA) organized its first annual health fair the leadership of Dr. Nitin Shah at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here on Sept 7 with services from the Lestonic Clinic and its dental team. Over 100 participants received free medical assistance.
NORWALK, CA - The South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SAHARA) organized its first annual health fair the leadership of Dr. Nitin Shah at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here on Sept 7 with services from the Lestonic Clinic and its dental team. Over 100 participants received free medical assistance.
Through the Affordable Care Act many uninsured and low-income individuals have obtained necessary basic medical insurance, however many of these individuals still do not have coverage for dental and vision care. Accordingly, the health fair focused on providing free eye and dental care to fill this gap. Services also included vital signs check, measuring bone density and health education talks focused on nutrition, mental health, Hepatitis B, diabetes and osteoporosis. SAHARA fulfilled its mission to serve the growing South Asian community in Southern California by providing the information, referrals, skills development, and other culturally sensitive support services needed to meet the unique challenges they face. Dr. Ramesh Kothari led a team of 13 dentists and 20 volunteers to provide comprehensive dental x-ray and procedures. The vision team included ophthalmologists Dr. Shaival Shah and Dr. Rishi Doshi and optometrist Dr. Julie Bhindi. Lastly Health Education talks were provided by Aditi Shah, MPH (Nutrition); Dr. Seema Arora and Dr. Sarla Karan (Mental Health); Mimi Cheng, FNP (Hepatitis B); Dr. Asit Shil (Osteoporosis); and Dr. Iqbal Munir (Diabetes). SAHARA thanked Tarsadia Foundation, Sarva Mangal Family Trust, Block Foundation, Drs. Jasvant and Meera Modi, and Pravin and Sudha Mody for their support.