51st Health fair at Midwest Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca (Chicago)

A successful Health Fair, organized by Midwest Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca, Illinois, was very successful, attended by more than 300 people. The goal was to provide medical check ups to those who may not be able to afford medical services due to insurance and medical coverage problems.

This is the 35th year that Jayanti Thakkar coordinated the Health Fair in various temples in Chicagoland area (1989-2024). This was Thakkar’s 51st Health Fair, a big mile stone for him in his long history of providing community services and leadership, the press release said.

The event took place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in the main hall of the Temple. It was sponsored by several organizations apart from the Swaminarayan. They included the Lohana Association of Greater Chicago (LAGC), Gujarati Samaj of Chicago (GSC), Kadva Patidar Samaj (KPS), and Sahiyaru Abhiyan Chicago.

More than 21 doctors and 110 Health Care professionals provided their volunteer services on this day. Registration and front desk services were conducted by  Narendra Patel, Rajesh Desai, Harmil Patel, Kadamb Thakkar, Dakshesh Modi and his Team.

Vital data such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, were checked for each participant. These services were provided by Bhavna Thakkar, Nisha Rao and Madhav Bhatt and Jyotsna Patel. The Blood Sugar testing and Consultation were provided by Kishore Chugh, Tejas Patel, and Arti Thakkar

Volunteers were seen very busy at the blood draw tables. Volunteers for this service include Sonal Thakkar, Vinu Patel, Daya Bhimani, Varsha Patel, Jyoti Patel, and Kevel Patel. Blood samples of 280 patients were collected and sent to the UIC laboratory for testing.  The reports will be reviewed by doctors and the Blood report will be mailed to each patient within three weeks.

There were 6 EKG Machines were used to provided EKG for Male and female over age 55 and continually operated by many volunteers including, Sonal Patel, Dineshri Shah, Shefali Shah, Priyanshi Patel,  Naren Barot,   Ramesh Thakkar , Druv Patel, and Aakash Thakkar, The EKG results were interpreted to the patient by Cardiologists Dr. Hetal Gandhi and Dr. Umang Patel.

Physical examination and Physical consultation were provided by Primary care Physician doctors include Dr. Jayashree Raju, Dr. Yohesh Parikh, Dr. Ashish Patel, Dr. Bhranti Langaliya, and Dr. Kamal Patel. Dr. Rutuja Patel gave guidance and consultation to people with obesity and diabetes.

Dental Examination and consultation were provided by Dr. Shaival Patel, Dr.Maitri Shah and Dr. Vilpa Patel… Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultation done by Dr. Ramesh Patel and Orthopedic Consultation done by Dr. Nisarg Gandhi. Physical Therapy provided by Sonal Gandhi and Deven Parekh .

There were Nutritional, Diet and Diabetes education were provided by Dipti Shah and Sweta Sheth. This time diabetic Guidance book (diabetic ni Jankari) also publishes by Swaminarayan temple edited by Dipti Shah and distributed to the people.   Urine Analysis was performed by Parul Thakkar, Dimple Thakkar and Krupa Shah

Eye Screening and consultation were provided by Dr. Neal Thakarar and Dr.Biren Patel. Flu shot were provided by Sushila Patel, Gita Patel and Namenda Patel and Narendra Patel. The Aryuvedic consultation was provided by Dr.Umangi Patel. Chiropractic consultation and services provided by Dr. Seema Mani

The Health Fair’s big attraction was the 3D foot screening. Krisna Chitturi provided his computerized process and explanation of foot prints to almost all participants until 2:00PM.