In January, a clinics C.U.R.E. team traveled to Nagercoil, India to help an underserved community. During a previous visit, medical volunteers found that there was a high prevalence of Type II diabetes and those suffering did not understand how to manage the disease.

The purpose of this follow-up trip was to screen as many residents as possible, educate patients about Type II Diabetes and train local nurses. The C.U.R.E clinics team worked closely with the Holy Cross. Eight rural health camps were organized where general medical examinations were done. In addition, volunteers looked after pediatric cases and carried out blood glucose testing.

C.U.R.E. volunteers were provided with an extremely warm welcome by all eight communities including traditional dance, flowers, speeches and a fabulous parade! By the end of the trip, 2,700 patients had been seen and for the first time, an actual laboratory was set up to diagnose a multitude of conditions, as well as a complete formulary.

Eight C.U.R.E kits were donated along with several other medical instruments. Head of the Holy Cross Hospital, Sister Atmaja write, “You have touched 2,700 underserved people in Southern India, not only those patients, but also those associated with them, people of the camps…all were touched by your care. I am hoping to continue…to work with you to care for many people.”