Mysuru: Rotary Mysore, under Rotary Global Grant #2683333, dedicated a new ultrasound scanning machine and a non-invasive bilirubin meter to Vivekananda Memorial Hospital (VMH) at Saragur, on Oct.11.

District Governor Rtn. Satish Bolar, who was the chief guest, dedicated the equipment to the community. DGE Rtn. Yashaswi Somashekar was the guest of honour. The special invitees were IPDG Rtn. Ramakrishna, PDG Rtn. R. Guru, PDG Rtn. Dr. Nagarjun and Assistant Governor Rtn. Ramachandra Raje Urs. Dr. S.M. Ravindranath, Director and Dr. H.K. Shankar, Deputy Director of VMH, were present.

The project, costing 41,587 US dollars (about Rs.38 lakh), was funded by The Rotary Foundation together with Rotary District 3181, Rotary Mysore and international partners: the Rotary Clubs of Washington DC, Troy and Charlotte Hall and Rotary District 6380 (USA) with active support of Rtn. Bala Murthy and Rtn. Roma Murthy from the Rotary Club of Troy. It was implemented with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), which runs the hospital. VMH serves tribal communities such as the Jenu Kurubas and Betta Kurubas, along with poor rural families in the H.D. Kote region.

The hospital’s earlier ultrasound machine had outlived its useful life. Without a working scanner, patients risked travelling nearly 60 kms for a basic scan. The new machine will handle about 2,500 scans a year, along with ultrasound-guided procedures. The bilirubin meter screens new-born for jaundice without a blood draw.

The equipment will directly strengthen maternal and child health in the region. It enables early detection of pregnancy complications, timely referrals and safer deliveries for mothers who have few other options.

Rtn. S.K. Sanjay, Project Chairman, said, “Distance and poverty should never decide who gets a diagnosis. This project brings modern diagnostics to the doorstep of communities that need them most.”

DG Rtn. Satish Bolar said, “This grant shows Rotary’s global network at work. Partners across continents came together for mothers and children in Saragur.”

DGE Rtn. Yashaswi Somashekar said, “Projects like this are what Rotary is about: lasting change, built on partnership and trust. We look forward to more such collaborations that bring quality healthcare to rural and tribal communities.”

Rotary Mysore President Rtn. M.N. Venkatesh, Secretary Rtn. Sameer Kashyap and several Rotarians attended the event. For details contact Mob:99451-59216.