Mission: Bharuch

Bharuch is a village situated at the mouth of the river Narmada in Gujarat in western India. The city and its surroundings have been settled since ancient times. It was a ship-building hub and sea port as far back as the days of the pharaohs. Many goods from the Far East were shipped to Bharuch along the Silk and Spice trade routes. It was known to the Greek, Persian, and Roman Empires. In the 3rd century, Arab traders, and then in the 17th-19th centuries, British and Dutch traders considered Bharuch an important business center. Local attractions include the Statue of Unity (tallest statue in the world), Narmada Park, the breathtaking Laxmi Villas Palace (Baroda); and local villages like Jhagadia (Dr. Lopa Gupta’s birthplace) and Ranipura.

In December, 2018, Drs. Mantu and Lopa Gupta, along with their daughters, Sarina and Kasmira, as well as 3 other volunteers (whose trips were fully funded by SaDilKa) joined them for Mission Bharuch. They included Dr. Ryan Chandhoke, an Endourology Fellow at Mount Sinai; Pooja Jairam, a 2nd year medical student at Columbia University; and Monika Bapna, a Georgetown University alum and aspiring medical student. Sarina and Kasmira are both interested in medical careers.

The organization, Jeev Sewa, helped organize the camp in a local charity hospital (Jai Jhulelal) and provided administration, leadership, dozens of volunteers, housing, meals, medications, OR facilities/supplies, techs, nurses, and drivers—all of which served to make the Camp an enormous success.

Dr. Mantu Gupta conducted a rigorous 4-day Kidney Stone and Urology Camp, performing almost 50 free surgeries on poverty-stricken patients with the assistance of his Fellow and local Urologists and Anesthesiologists who also donated their time and services free of charge. Dr. Lopa Gupta conducted an
Ophthalmology/Oculoplastics Camp, screening and treating dozens of indigent pediatric and adult patients with blindness, glaucoma, nystagmus, strabismus, phthisis, lid lesions, and lid tumors.

The photos below depict representative snippets of our Camp experience:

Kidney Stone / Urology Camp

Dr. Gupta studies the Xray before surgery and shows Sarina the exact location of kidney stone.
Dr. Gupta studies the Xray before surgery and shows Sarina the exact location of kidney stone.
Dr. Gupta shows Kasmira and other volunteers how to read various X-rays.
Dr. Gupta shows Kasmira and other volunteers how to read various X-rays.
OR Volunteers prepare Dr. Gupta's patient for surgery.
OR Volunteers prepare Dr. Gupta’s patient for surgery.
Employing his finesse with an endoscopic camera, Dr. Gupta skillfully searches for the stone based on his prior Xray reading.
Employing his finesse with an endoscopic camera, Dr. Gupta skillfully searches for the stone based on his prior Xray reading.
Dr. Gupta performs a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for stone removal while a local doctor observes.
Dr. Gupta performs a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for stone removal while a local doctor observes.
Kidney stone discovered and to be removed!
Kidney stone discovered and to be removed!
Local urologist performing a TURP procedure for an enlarged prostate
Local urologist performing a TURP procedure for an enlarged prostate
Dr. Gupta coaches his Fellow, Dr. Chandhoke, through a complex PCNL while others observe every move on the monitor.
Dr. Gupta coaches his Fellow, Dr. Chandhoke, through a complex PCNL while others observe every move on the monitor.
Dr. Chandhoke searches for the kidney stone.
Dr. Chandhoke searches for the kidney stone.
Stones discovered and to be removed!
Stones discovered and to be removed!
Extracted kidney stones--no more pain for the patient!
Extracted kidney stones–no more pain for the patient!
Extracted kidney stones
Extracted kidney stones
Extracted prostate gland fragments.
Extracted prostate gland fragments.
Typical daily OR log.
Typical daily OR log.
Drs. Gupta and Chandhoke after a rigorous day in the OR.
Drs. Gupta and Chandhoke after a rigorous day in the OR.
Rehydrating with coconut water!
Rehydrating with coconut water!
Dr. Gupta performing a postop wound check on one of his patients.
Dr. Gupta performing a postop wound check on one of his patients.
Drs. Chandhoke helps Dr.Gupta in the recovery room.
Drs. Chandhoke helps Dr.Gupta in the recovery room.
Dr. Patel checking on his patient in the recovery room.
Dr. Patel checking on his patient in the recovery room.
"Team Sadilka" doing rounds in the recovery room.
“Team Sadilka” doing rounds in the recovery room.

Oculoplastics / Eye Camp

Blind child with phthisis right eye and buphthalmos, left eye-end stage consequences of congenital glaucoma.
Blind child with phthisis right eye and buphthalmos, left eye-end stage consequences of congenital glaucoma.
Child's parents with Kasmira and Sarina (front) and Monika and Pooja (back)
Child’s parents with Kasmira and Sarina (front) and Monika and Pooja (back)
Patient with tumors of the eyelid causing recurrent bouts of severe swelling and visual impairment.
Patient with tumors of the eyelid causing recurrent bouts of severe swelling and visual impairment.
Eyelid tumors
Eyelid tumors
Patient with rapidly enlarging nevus of the lid margin.
Patient with rapidly enlarging nevus of the lid margin.
Immediately after removal and biopsy.
Immediately after removal and biopsy.
Dr. Gupta anesthetizing her patient before surgery.
Dr. Gupta anesthetizing her patient before surgery.
Dr. Gupta doing delicate eyelid surgery while explaining anatomy to Volunteers.
Dr. Gupta doing delicate eyelid surgery while explaining anatomy to Volunteers.
Excision of lipomatous tumors of the eyelid.
Note fatty infiltration of the eyelid.
Debulking of fatty tissue/tumors.
After complete debulking, Dr. Gupta submitted all resected tissue to pathology.
Complete closure of wound.
Kasmira and other volunteers watch Dr. Gupta perform eyelid procedures.
Dr. Gupta explains anatomic planes to those observing.
Dr. Gupta assisting Dr. Chandhoke with plastic surgery closure for a circumcision.
Dr. Gupta demonstrates to Monika, Pooja, and her daughters correct suturing techniques.
Suturing practice on banana skins!
Due to a dearth of instruments, Sarina and Kasmira await their turns while Monika and Pooja practice suturing.

Volunteers

Entire OR crew with volunteer nurses, doctors, and assistants. In the 2nd row, from left to right are Dr. Chandhoke, Dr. Patel, Dr. M. Gupta, Dr. Thummar, Dr. Shah
Entire OR crew with volunteer nurses, doctors, and assistants. In the 2nd row, from left to right are Dr. Chandhoke, Dr. Patel, Dr. M. Gupta, Dr. Thummar, Dr. Shah
Dr. L. Gupta flanked by daughters Kasmira and Sarina on the left and Monika and Pooja on the right
Dr. L. Gupta flanked by daughters Kasmira and Sarina on the left and Monika and Pooja on the right
The Gupta family with Camp Coordinators Mr. Thakkar and Mr. Harijani.
The Gupta family with Camp Coordinators Mr. Thakkar and Mr. Harijani.
Dr. Chandhoke and Dr. Gupta outside the hospital before heading to the OR
Dr. Chandhoke and Dr. Gupta outside the hospital before heading to the OR
The "Sadilka" Group with Camp Coordinator, Mr. Makhijani, outside the hospital before the start of the Camp Day.
The “Sadilka” Group with Camp Coordinator, Mr. Makhijani, outside the hospital before the start of the Camp Day.
Sarina, Monika, Kasmira, and Pooja in one of the OR rooms, between cases.
Sarina, Monika, Kasmira, and Pooja in one of the OR rooms, between cases.
Kasmira, along with Monika and Pooja is about to enter the OR where she will videotape her dad performing a percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedure.
Kasmira, along with Monika and Pooja is about to enter the OR where she will videotape her dad performing a percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedure.
Fruits, nuts, and snacks donated by volunteers to help keep energy levels high for surgeons and OR staff.
Fruits, nuts, and snacks donated by volunteers to help keep energy levels high for surgeons and OR staff.
Dr. L. Gupta with her team and volunteers after an eyelid case.
Dr. L. Gupta with her team and volunteers after an eyelid case.
Sarina, Monika, Kasmira, and Pooja enjoy watching and assisting both Drs. Mantu and Lopa Gupta performing their specialized surgeries in the same hospital, different floors.
Sarina, Monika, Kasmira, and Pooja enjoy watching and assisting both Drs. Mantu and Lopa Gupta performing their specialized surgeries in the same hospital, different floors.
Dr. Mantu Gupta with prominent local urologist, Dr. Janak Desai.
Dr. Mantu Gupta with prominent local urologist, Dr. Janak Desai.
Jalebis, an Indian sweet, made fresh for camp volunteers
Jalebis, an Indian sweet, made fresh for camp volunteers
Dr. M Gupta discusses success of Camp Bharuch with Mr. Thakkur and Mr. Harijani
Dr. M Gupta discusses success of Camp Bharuch with Mr. Thakkur and Mr. Harijani
Kasmira, Monika, and Pooja realize that camp is hard work but incredibly rewarding!
Kasmira, Monika, and Pooja realize that camp is hard work but incredibly rewarding!

Lectures

Local townspeople and volunteers listen intently as Dr. Mantu Gupta delivers a heartfelt speech about SadilKa's mission in honor of his son, Dilan Gupta.
Local townspeople and volunteers listen intently as Dr. Mantu Gupta delivers a heartfelt speech about SadilKa’s mission in honor of his son, Dilan Gupta.
Dr. Gupta speaking at Jai Jhulelal Hospital.
Dr. Gupta speaking at Jai Jhulelal Hospital.
Dr. Gupta gives a lecture on his advanced techniques to numerous local Urologists in Baroda.
Dr. Gupta gives a lecture on his advanced techniques to numerous local Urologists in Baroda.
Dr. Gupta's lecture in Baroda
Dr. Gupta’s lecture in Baroda
The Gupta family visit a school in Dr. Lopa Gupta's birthplace, Jhagadia.
The Gupta family visit a school in Dr. Lopa Gupta’s birthplace, Jhagadia.
Dr. Lopa Gupta speaks to students and gives an inspirational speech about the importance of education.
Dr. Lopa Gupta speaks to students and gives an inspirational speech about the importance of education.
Boys sitting outside for recess.
Boys sitting outside for recess.

Hospital Grounds

After 23 hours by air, a magnificent sunrise greeted us during our 4 hour car ride from Ahmedabad airport to Bharuch, where Camp Day 1 began upon arrival.
After 23 hours by air, a magnificent sunrise greeted us during our 4 hour car ride from Ahmedabad airport to Bharuch, where Camp Day 1 began upon arrival.
Spectacular sunrise.
Spectacular sunrise.
Street in front of Jai Jhulelal Hospital
Street in front of Jai Jhulelal Hospital
Jai Jhulelal Hospital
Jai Jhulelal Hospital
Impoverished neighborhood nearby.
Impoverished neighborhood nearby.
Surgical scrubs and drapes were hand-washed daily by local camp volunteers and hung out to dry on the rooftop of the hospital.
Surgical scrubs and drapes were hand-washed daily by local camp volunteers and hung out to dry on the rooftop of the hospital.
Using Mother Nature as the "Dryer".
Using Mother Nature as the “Dryer”.
Enjoying sunrise from the rooftop before the Camp day begins.
Enjoying sunrise from the rooftop before the Camp day begins.
Enjoying the magnificent sunset in Narmada Park after Camp day ends.
Enjoying the magnificent sunset in Narmada Park after Camp day ends.
Sarina Gupta-Monika Bapna-Kasmira Gupta-Dr. Lopa Gupta-Pooja Jairam enjoying the local milieu after end of Camp day.
Sarina Gupta-Monika Bapna-Kasmira Gupta-Dr. Lopa Gupta-Pooja Jairam enjoying the local milieu after end of Camp day.
Beautiful sunset at Narmada Park
Beautiful sunset at Narmada Park