The Sai Medical Unit was established in April 1998. The SOFT program began in Western Australia in 1999. CPR training was given to devotees in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT and Western Australia. Medical equipment has donated and sent overseas.
Blood Donation
Human beings have 5-6 litres of blood in each of them, always. Out of which if one donated blood, about 200 to 300 ml of blood is drawn at a time from a volunteer. This gets replaced in volume within 15-20 minutes, and the blood cells take a day or two to reform.
The Service Wing along with Sai Young Adults coordinates regular blood donation in concert with the Red Cross Blood Bank. More information is found on the Sai Australia Website.
Ayurvedic Awareness Retreats
Retreats are conducted on an annual basis in different states. There are Ayurvedic Awareness contact personnel in each state. Workshops have been held for Sai devotees and other interested groups to aware of the discipline of Ayurveda. To date, workshops have been held in Perth, Gold Coast – Queensland and Sydney.
Medical and Dental Camps
Visit to Toomelah Community – 23 November 2003
Medical Team personnel
3 Doctors
1 Medical student
1 Medical technician
4 Nurses
4 volunteers
Dental Team Personnel
2 Dentists
1 Dental Nurse
4 volunteers
Total number of people who expressed interest in attending the Medical and Dental screening program was 126, male to female ratio was similar in each group except in the age group 20 to 29 years where females were 50% more. The number of people who arrived for medical screening was 67 with a similar number for dental screening.
Women’s Health Education
Combined Teams from NSW and Queensland.
Theme: Preventive Medicine
Asthma Education
Womens Health
Diabetes Education
Preventive Dental Education
Asthma Education for Children
Joining the Sai Medical Unit
Activities of the Sai Medical Unit are dependant on the service by a offered by suitably qualified devotees and others wishing to contribute.
What is needed:
- Ongoing commitment
- A Desire to serve
- Medical or allied qualification are mandatory
Non medical volunteers may be able to provide clerical assistance at the camps or work like the volunteers do at the super speciality hospitals.
At present, there are coordinators for the Sai Medical Institute in each state. 104 members are currently registered with the Sai Medical Unit. Australian Sai Devotees may join the Sai Medical Unit, either by:
Filling out the application form and post to
Dr Gunu Naker
1/20-30 Evelyn Street North,
Sylvania
NSW 2224