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More than just medicines

The IRMA dispensary does not simply dispense health care as it is a hub of love and care

You hardly notice it at first glance. Then you see the board and a motley group of students and staff making their way into the health care facility. There is no room for mistakes now that you have spotted it.

The little grey edifice standing like a flagship of the C block of IRMA’s staff quarters is where people get medicines and treatment free of charge. And much more. What you also get is humanity and sentiment. A sentiment that proclaims, “I belong to IRMA’’.

Run by both Dr. K D Balchandani and Nurse Minal Vyas the dispensary attracts 10 to 15 patients every day. What is more, greenhorn PRM participants venturing out on their maiden field visit are sure to get their first aid kits here. Preventive care facilities like anti malaria tablets, too, are available here.

“When I joined the IRMA dispensary in 1985 there were very few medicines available and the furniture was very basic,” reminisces Sister Kamalben Sathe who served for almost 25 years. “But people living on campus were like a family,” she sighs in delightful reminiscence. Dr. Balchandani chips in saying, “In the past we knew all the campus residents and their family members by name, also each student”. Dr. Balchandani, a familiar face on campus, became IRMA’s official doctor in 1984 soon after he married the tall and stately Shahnaaz who, like him, is a regular visitor to IRMA.

“Initially,” recalls Kamalaben, “the dispensary’s official timings were from 7 am to 9 am, 11am to 3 pm, and 6 pm to 8 pm. But I would be on call 24 seven. I never complained because of the love and respect I was given. If anyone were to fall sick I would pay home visits to both check the patient’s health status and to help out family members with regard to their care. We were like a family.” Pausing to breathe she adds, “When I had a heart attack I remember the entire campus turned up to see me and enquire if I needed any help. That is when I realized the kind of goodwill I had earned in my years with IRMA. I will always cherish those memories,” she grins adding, “The memories of being surrounded by people who care for you are so good that they have erased the ones that are not so good”.

“The old order changeth yielding place to new…” (Alfred Tennyson). So too with the IRMA dispensary. By the time Sister Minal Vyas took charge from Sister Kamalben, who retired in 2008, many changes had occurred thanks to technological upgrades and advancement. Today, medical purchases and distribution records are available online. Patients’ records too are available online. Also, there is a separate room for patients to be examined in.

Student intake has shot up thanks to an increased batch size. Managing such large numbers posed problems that were circumvented thanks to new systems that were soon set in place. Under these technologically advanced systems it is now possible for IRMA’s lone medical practitioner to conclude students’ health checkup within a day.

New medical instruments have been set up at the dispensary that included the Pulse Oxymeter to check the heartbeat rate and oxygen saturation in the body. The traditional thermometer has been replaced by the latest high tech laser instrument. Today, campus residents do not need to go into the city for a blood test since it is now available in their homes. This facility was initiated by Dr. Balchandani whose efforts and dedication continue to make the dispensary thrive.

A number of other changes have occurred of late.

Increased staff strength warranted the demand for a Homeopathic doctor on campus. So, Dr. Pankaj Trivedi, who visits the campus once a week, was appointed in 2000. The psychologist from Vadodara, Sumit Goshal, became the institute’s official counselor since October 2014. He counsels around 3-4 people every Friday.

The dispensary continues to flourish, needless to add.

Shahnaaz narrates an incident that has remained etched in her memory. “We got a frantic call urging us to rush to a student’s aid. The student had had a bad fall and was critical.” This happened when Dr. Balachandani was down with conjunctivitis. “It was pouring in torrents,” she recalls, “and you could not see what was ahead of you. Besides, he was finding it difficult to keep his eyes open in the thick sleet.” With his wife as navigator the doctor was able to make it to IRMA on his motorcycle and deliver timely treatment to the injured student.

“Actions such as these come from the heart,” says Dr. Balachandani whose heart remains in IRMA so many years later. It is no wonder that retired staffers and faculty continue to consult him. Generations of IRMANs have come and gone but the good doctor continues to walk companionably with them down IRMA’s verdant pathways and hold their hand in compassion. It is because of him that the IRMA dispensary has remained a permanent fixture. Much like the IRMA Chimes.

By: Pooja (Malashri) Mannari

Email:POOJA@irma.ac.in