D.R.O.P.S. Foundation visited many communities in different provinces of the country in March 2017. Medical camps were set up to treat over 200 patients in each community in Raddegodawatte, Thambagalla, Maradana, Thalduwa, Chilaw/Tissogama, Manuwangama and Nachchikalliya. Health education and environmental protection campaigns were also conducted.
One of the highlights of our outreach was in Raddegodawatte, Kurunegala region. There, participating volunteer D.R.O.P.S. doctors worked with local doctors to treat more than 2,000 patients, including about 150 cases of thalassemia (also called Mediterranean anemia, a genetic disease of red blood cells).
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disease. The body produces abnormal hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder leads to excessive destruction of red blood cells or anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough normal, healthy red blood cells. Thalassemia is inherited, which means that at least one parent must be a carrier of the disease. It is caused by either a genetic mutation or a deletion of certain important gene segments. Sadly, we encountered over 150 young and old patients suffering from this disease.
The cooperation with the "Warehouse Project" in Colombo was again very constructive. Our active support in building up the IT training laboratory there and improving the existing school infrastructure was an additional highlight.
Many thanks to all those who donated and also to all the volunteers on site for their active support.
One of the highlights of our Sri Lanka Mission was in Raddegodawatte. There, participating volunteer D.R.O.P.S. doctors worked with local doctors to treat more than 2,000 patients, and the whole team supported building up the IT training laboratory to improve the existing school infrastructure.