Lakshmi Iyer
India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: The Festival of Globe (FOG) held its Health Fair in Fremont on Saturday, August 16th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is part of its 33rd India Day Mela.
A few decades ago, Dr. Romesh Japra, the Founder and Convener of the Festival of Globe (FOG), a renowned cardiologist who has been practicing in Fremont for several decades, started the honored tradition of providing free checkups to the poor and uninsured. Many other doctors joined him in this noble initiative.
It marked the beginning of the FIA/FOG Health Fair in the first India Day Mela, which was held in Fremont in 1993. Asha Parekh, the superstar from the Hindi film industry of the ‘60s and ‘70s, presided as the Grand Marshal for the Parade that year. (FOG is under the umbrella of the FIA – the Federation of Indo-Americans of Northern California, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.)
Recently, Dr. Japra has welcomed many complementary streams of healing, transforming the FOG Health Fair into a holistic wellness event.
Dr. Bhupinder Bhandari, a well-known gastroenterologist who also practices in Fremont, was the Chair of the Health Fair this year, just as in previous years.
Dr. Kavana Sanjay, a medical doctor from India, who is in the process of entering residency in the U.S., and Lakshmi Iyer (this correspondent) acted as the Co-Chairs/coordinators for the event, along with coordinator Sujata Shrivastava.
Naresh Sodhi from Pacific Cardiology Associates, Dr. Japra’s clinic, was the Sponsorship Chair.
This year’s Health Fair was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Kiniksa, and Washington Hospital.
The lineup was impressive this year, with a range of mainstream allopathic specialists from cardiology, and stroke neurology to oncology, obesity/diabetes management, and dentistry. They were joined by doctors from Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and professionals from Yoga Therapy and Mental Wellness.
Some of the participating doctors who joined FOG for the first time included:
Dr. Meenu Vaid, MD and Dr. Shagun Bindlish, MD from the Golden State Obesity Society
Dr. Vaid specializes in Addiction Medicine, while Dr. Bindlish is a Diabetologist. The former also runs Savera, a nonprofit to help with addiction issues. This is a subject that is rarely discussed in the Indian-American community, which comprises a generally well-educated and affluent demographic that is thought to have more traditional values.
As for diabetes, it is unfortunately extremely common among South Asians, along with other markers of metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Sophia Yen, MD – a Women’s and Adolescent Health specialist
She runs a healthcare company called Pandia Health. Women’s issues, such as perimenopause and menopause, are only now gaining traction in the mainstream. In the Indian-American community, issues related to sexual health are not commonly discussed, making this field a welcome addition to the health fair.
Dr. Pankaj Bhargava, MD – Oncology, UCSF
Dr. Bhargava sent the Health Fair coordinator team numerous pamphlets related to screening for various cancers, such as colorectal and prostate, as well as early detection of others, including lung cancer.
As is generally known, catching cancer early and starting timely treatment are crucial to survival rates.
The other doctors/organizations who volunteered their time were:
- Dr. Romesh Japra, MD – Cardiology, FOG Founder and Convener, Head of Pacific Cardiology Associates (Clinic staff, including Naresh Sodhi were present)
- Dr. Bhupinder Bhandari, MD – Gastroenterology, Chair – FOG Health Fair
- Kaiser Permanente – Stroke Prevention and Response Education and Treatment
- Washington Hospital Healthcare System
- Bay Area Community Health (BACH)
- Ayurhitam – headed by Manju Kohli, Ayurvedic practitioner
- California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM)
- Dr. Sheila Dobee – Dentist, Your Caring Dentist in Fremont
- Five Branches University – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Yoga Bharati – Yoga Therapy
- Happiness Factors – a Mental Wellness company, headed by Anita Srivastava
California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine (CAAM) had a booth for the first time. Manju Kohli, who runs Ayurhitam, an Ayurvedic clinic, is affiliated with CAAM. She was part of the event last year, too.
All the other organizations and practitioners were returning participants.
Bay Area Community Health had a small truck on site, and their staff offered free blood pressure and glucose screenings.
Five Branches University offered free acupuncture sessions on-site, and many people got to try this ancient healing technique.
All the booths had engaging materials to educate visitors on various aspects of health, whether it is one’s oral health, stress management, understanding the warning signs of a stroke, and quickly responding to them, or turning to powerful ‘yogasanas’ to alleviate a range of health issues.
The event also attracted stellar volunteers – middle/high schoolers who were keenly interested in medicine, their parents, nursing school students, and some Scouts.
Attendees availed of this unique opportunity to meet doctors and other healthcare specialists. It was a great opportunity to learn about preventing life-threatening diseases, early detection, and maintaining overall mental and physical health.
All the attending professionals had a great time interacting with the public.
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