A Poor Man’s Messiah! Vincent D’souza Owning ‘PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ Helps the Suffering during Covid-19
A Poor Man’s Messiah! Vincent D’souza Owning ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ at Nagori, Mangaluru Helps the Suffering during Covid-19
Mangaluru: ‘Jan Aushadhi” is the novel project launched by Government of India in the year 2014 for the noble cause – Quality Medicines at Affordable Prices for All. The campaign was undertaken through sale of generic medicines through exclusive outlets namely “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store” in various districts of the country. In September 2015, the ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ was revamped as ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana’ (PMJAY). In November 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana” (PMBJP).
The Jan Aushadhi initiative will make available quality drugs at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. Added to this Kendra, ‘Cardiology At Doorsteps’ , an Unique Cardiac Care Initiative was taken up by Dr Padmanabh Kamath (Prof and Head, Cardiology Dept, KMC Mangaluru) with a team of doctors who formed an whatsapp group as an crusade against Coronary Artery Disease especially for the people of the society located in remote areas and with financial disabilities. More than 128 ECG machines have been given totally free to various Primary Health centers in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Chickmagaluru and surrounding districts. There are plans of adding further more areas covering Madikere, Thirthahalli, Shivamogga, Sagara and Kasargod region. The initiative is funded by individual donors, corporates and banks with an intention of doing good to the society.
Regarding Vincent D’souza, hailing from Madanthyar, in the outskirts of Mangaluru, who runs the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ at Nagori Mangaluru, and since it’s inception a year ago, he has been doing yeoman service ever since then. The Covid lockdown has imposed greater challenges to all the entrepreneurs especially the pharmacists. There is a growing demand for medicines and also protective items like masks and PPEs during these Covid Times. Vincent starts his day at 7:00 am at this shop and works until 11 pm. He has a passion for helping poor patients and has a penchant for going out of the way to serve them. The special feature of his shop is availability of value added services like free BP monitoring and ECG facility.
Vincent has been doing such services for the last 6 months and with the closure of other private clinics all over Mangaluru during lockdown, there is added pressure for him . He sends the ECG in a exclusive WhatsApp group called Kayakalpa where all the other Jan Aushadhi operators are networked. This Kayakalpa group is a subsidiary of CAD WhatsApp group started by Dr Padmanabh Kamath. Vincent works 12-14 hours a day and his work time has gone up ever since lockdown due to coronavirus crisis.
Apart from friendly service and a very caring treatment, Vincent also offers 60-70 % discount on BPPI certified Jan Aushadhi medicines; Free sugar checking for diabetics, on the spot BP measurement for hypertensives and ECG on recommendation by the treating doctor; also Home delivery of drugs to senior citizens and pensioners; Trial run of Aushadhi app which can help in online procurement of drugs- All these within 1 year of establishing the PMBJK- that’s great! “For me he is a true hero, especially in this troubled time. And I am very proud of Vincent, for all the good work that he is dong for the suffering humanity, during this pandemic” added Dr Padmanabh Kamath-Professor and HoD of Cardiology Dept, KMC, Mangaluru.
Speaking further, Dr Kamath said, “Considering the noble venture of the formation of Jan Aushadhi, and our initiative of CAD being in synchronization helping the weaker section of the society who lack healthcare facility an group has been formed named Kayakalpa Seven ECG machines have been donated to Seven Jan Aushadahi Kendra, The ECG will be done FREE of cost to all needy Jan Aushadhi clients, and Patients, and soon it will be implemented across many outlets in the districts after gauging the response from the patients and getting the feedback. The ECG will be reported by the cardiologist connected through the whatsapp group called KAYAKALPA”
“I have always supported those initiatives by the Government which have implications on social welfare and have widespread ramifications. I have been supporter of PM Jan Aushadhi scheme since its inception. Recent paper from USA has shown Blacks who visited the barbershop were checked their Blood Pressure on the spot and were educated about lifestyle modifications or drugs. They were far more receptive at that place and it resulted in early diagnosis and control of Blood Pressure. We can take a leaf out of this and implement in Jan Aushadi Kendras. Check Blood Pressure and one reading of Sugar (RBS) whenever patients visit the Kendra. All the high readings and high sugar values to be informed to the concerned doctor and necessary dosage modifications can be done under his or her guidance. I request the PMO to look into this concept which is akin to saying “No Helmets No Petrol” likewise “No Medicines without a Stat BP or Sugar Check”. Request concerned people to do the needful” added Dr Padmanabh Kamath.