Macquarie Global Services have kindly donated towards two of the most pressing needs of Asha’s healthcare programme – a Fully Automated Biochemistry Analyser and a Colour Doppler machine. Macquarie’s Head of Global Finance Services – India, Mr Sandeep Dhawan and his team inaugurated the machines on Thursday, February 11 at the Asha Polyclinic.
Also present for the inauguration were Dr Elaine Smith (Rheumatologist) and Dr Frances Loughridge (GP) from the UK, Chairman of Friends of Asha (Ireland) Gareth Williams, and many other volunteers from different parts of the world working with various Asha projects at that time.
Dr Kiran thanked Mr Dhawan and the entire Macquarie Group for being so generous in their support. There was a great need for upgrading the diagnostic equipment at the Asha polyclinic with the existing ones being outdated and unserviceable.
It takes up to three months for a person to get an appointment for a colour Doppler scan at a Government facility in Delhi whereas at the Asha Polyclinic this can now be taken care of within 24 hours.
Because of the new equipment 11 slum colonies, with a total population of nearly 60,000, around the Polyclinic will be able to access quality diagnostic services at a fraction of what they would pay elsewhere.
Mr Dhawan learnt about the need for this equipment when he, along with his team, visited Asha in July 2015. Without any delay, they began sourcing funds from the Macquarie Group Foundation for this very urgent requirement. “This is the least that we [Macquarie] can do to support your wonderful work,” remarked Mr Dhawan while addressing the gathering.
Macquarie has been a strong supporter of the Asha Internship Programme since its inception in 2012 and has provided internship opportunities to 18 Asha students so far. As well as providing for vital funds for this equipment, they have also been instrumental in facilitating funds for other Asha programmes, including recently running a marathon for them last November.
Here are a few glimpses from the afternoon…
Dr Kiran addressing the gathering at the Asha polyclinic
Mr Dhawan inaugurating the fully automated biochemistry analyser
Mr Sandeep Dhawan talking about his association with Asha
Mr Dhawan inaugurating the colour doppler machine
