United Hands, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has been in existence since April, 1995. It provides an annual opportunity for health care professionals and ancillary members to travel abroad and offer free medical care to a targeted community.
Among its varied prior, and on- going activities, (such as scholarships for individuals to attend Christian schools, mentoring programs, small financial grants to those finding themselves with unexpected economic hardship, etc.), the annual health fair has become the hallmark of United Hands’ outreach endeavors, and exemplifies the unofficial motto of the organization, “Helping those in need.”
Brief Description of Health Fairs:
A United Hands Health Fair is primarily an opportunity to screen for certain diseases; an occasion to educate and advise the community about how to prevent the onset of specific diseases, and how to ameliorate and even reverse particular diseases by making healthy life-style choices. In this sense, the health fair is an empowering event for those who attend.
In addition to these preventive measures, some curative measures are employed. As always, during a health fair there is a dynamic tension between what can be termed preventive (screening, education, etc.) and curative measures (antibiotics, various medications, and medical procedures,). The classification is somewhat artificial and partially misleading, as preventive measures often will, and do result in a cure.
Example of Health Fair Stations - South Africa Mission Trip 2005
The Health Fair was set up into the various stations listed below:
- Registration — Patients were welcomed at this station, and name, age and gender were obtained. Also, very brief medical histories pertaining to high blood pressure, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, health habits (amount of daily exercise and daily fruit/vegetables consumed) and degree of stress in the person’s life were gathered. Children were sent directly to the children’s station.
- Height/Weight/Vision — Height in feet/inches, weight in pounds and visual acuity were noted at this station.
- Blood Pressure — Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were documented.
- Glucose & Cholesterol — Most adults had their blood glucose checked, and those adults who met established criteria had blood cholesterol checked as well.
- Pre-Counseling — Adults were evaluated at this station and then directed to the most appropriate stations and counselors based on their gender, medical complaints, medical histories, and blood pressure and blood cholesterol findings.
- Physical Therapy — Clients were advised on appropriate techniques for performing their daily activities, and provided with therapeutic interventions for low back pain. (Heating Pads/Cold packs were distributed).
- Dental Clinic — The Dental team from Loma Linda University educated clients about dental health, and also performed numerous dental extractions. Hundreds of dental hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouth wash were given away.
- Women’s Clinic — T raining on how to do a monthly breast exam, and its importance was emphasized. In addition, counseling on various issues specific to women was offered.
- Children’s Corner — Education on the importance of an appropriate diet (one that emphasizes fruit and vegetables instead of soft drinks and candy) and the need for regular exercise to stay healthy was offered. Games were played and hundreds of gifts were given (toys, books, crayons, pencils, pens, writing pads and other child appropriate items). The dentists also advised about general dental hygiene.
- Optical – Our clients’ optical needs were addressed. Over 300 pairs of eye-glasses were given away.
- Counseling — Our Clients were finally assessed by various counselors at this station. Basic health education was given by our counselors; physicians addressed medical concerns, and both preventive and curative measures were employed. Our psychologist, sociologist and pastor addressed mental health concerns in addition to basic health concerns. A few patients were referred to the local clinics and hospitals for further care. Gifts that were provided by Pfizer pharmaceuticals and some of our United Hands members, were given to our clients. (These items included health books and other pieces of literature, pens, bags, deodorant, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins, and writing pads).
