FIA Chicago and Consulate General of India hold Health Fair and Coat Drive  

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More than a hundred Chicago residents including senior citizens gathered to get tested at the free Health Fair at Coat Drive organized jointly by FIA Chicago and the Consulate General of India in Chicago, December 3, 2023, at the Gold Maine Community Center in Niles, IL.

Starting with the registration desk with volunteers who spoke many different languages, the health fair was conducted very smoothly by more than 40 volunteers who made sure everyone was attended to and also got their breakfast after the fasting blood tests.

Doctors from different specializations, representatives from Medicare, Medicaid and Home Care Solutions; phlebotomist Ila Patel who is also the FIA Executive Director, collecting blood samples; and blood sampling kits and equipment provided by Neal Patel of MedStar, the health fair attended to all including those without insurance.

Also part of the Healthfair were Chiropractor and Accupuncture specialist Dr. Raj Dhingra with his entire team. Krishna Chitluri offered solutions after diagnosing foot problems with help of an equipment with the latest technology.

The health fair also included informative sessions on Yoga and Relaxation by Yoga Guru Anu Malhotra and on Mental Health and the resources available for issues related to it by Dr. Usha Karthan.

Other informative sessions included lectures by noted cardiologist Dr Parag Doshi, and Dr. Aladar Badar who both emphasized lifestyle changes as preventive care.

Chief guest Michelle Mussman, State Representative of Illinois, congratulated FIA Chicago on the good work they were doing.

Reminding the audience that this was FIA’s 13^th event of the year, Chairman and Founder Sunil Shah said such health fairs were important for those who are underinsured and uninsured. President Vinita Gulabani gave an overview of past and upcoming events while past President Neil Khot listed future events on Visa Services, Tax services, and General Counseling. President-Elect Pratibha Jairath outlined the upcoming Toy Donation drive and spoke about FIA Chicago’s collaboration with government agencies including state representatives, the mayor and city council members, whose help FIA Chicago enlists when needed.

The event concluded with awarding special honor awards by Mussman, Gulabani, Jairath and Shah, to FIA volunteer team of 2023 for the many hours they contributed to make programs successful over the year. Among the recipients were Jitendra Bulsara, Richa Chand, Jenish Bulsara, Dr Bhupinder Beri, Kamlesh Kapoor, Anu Malhotra, Harry Sidhu and Vandana Jhingan from the Press and Media. Jayantibhai Thakkar was presented with a special award for organizing the 40^th health fair in Chicago area.

Kamlesh Kapoor thanked the sponsors, the leadership, the doctors and healthcare providers for being part of the event. The program concluded with a lunch specially designed by a nutritionist.

More than 300 coats and blankets were donated during the event which would be distributed later among the needy.