Goemakrponn desk
VASCO: In a novel initiative, a ” Medical Equipment Bank” has been set up in Vasco that will now lend free equipment and aid to people for free.
The initiative taken by Ananta Physiotherapy Centre in association with Bandekar Charity Foundation and Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera was inaugurated at the hands of Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar on Saturday evening in the presence of Chandan Bandekar, Trustee of Bandekar Charity Foundation, Mormugao Municipal Council MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, Rtn Madhavi Bandekar Shetye and others.
Speaking to reporters, Madhavi Bandekar Shetye said that Ananta Physiotherapy Centre was started ten years ago on 30th June 2014
“Deepak Bandekar had agreed to give us this space and we set up this health facility because this medical facility is expensive and not affordable to all the people. We charge people only 50 Rs for a particular treatment session and even if it lasts for 10 days, the fees work out to Rs 500 which is very reasonable compared to other centres,” Shetye said.
He said they have handled over 7000 patients in the last ten years and we decided to have an equipment bank because we were approached by many people looking for wheelchairs and other aids.
“We would usually donate such items to people and we decided to have an equipment Bank. Thankfully, Deepak Bandekar agreed to do this as well and with the help of the Bandekar Charity Foundation, we launched this facility on our tenth anniversary. We have several pieces of equipment including crutches, walkers, walking sticks and oxygen concentrators which will be loaned to people by taking a small deposit money which will be refunded after the equipment is returned making it free of cost for use. There is no commercial angle to this initiative and the only aim is to provide a good healthcare facility to the people of Vasco and make sure everyone is healthy,” said Bandekar
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar said that it was a very good initiative and would be of maximum benefit to people.
“Madhavi Shetye had set up this Ananta Physiotherapy Centre which is celebrating its tenth anniversary by launching this new initiative where people will be offered equipment and aids like wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and even Oxygen concentrators. Considering that medical treatment has become expensive, sometimes people cannot afford to buy these aids and many times, the items have to be disposed of after using them for a few months,” he said.
He said this new initiative has given new hope to people who can now avail of these facilities on loan. This is a good facility that will benefit many people and the ten years of such service shows commitment, sincerity and dedication towards people. The Bandekar family has always come out to offer many initiatives for the people of Vasco,” said Salkar
Chandan Bandekar, trustee of the Bandekar Charity Foundation said that she was extremely happy that the initiative was set up in the Mormugao Taluka.
” Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar had inaugurated Ananta Physiotherapy Centre ten years ago at this same place and today he has inaugurated the new initiative as the Vasco MLA. We have launched this initiative in association with the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera and we have come a long way, trying to help people by offering medical relief through the Bandekar Charity Foundation. We will continue doing this good work for our people,” said Bandekar.
