April 14, 2023
Subject: Press release for the inauguration of CT scan facility in RIHP, Ammathi
Kodava Koota in partnership with Coorg Foundation, a trust established by Tata Coffee Ltd., is successfully setting up a CT scan facility in Rural India Health Project (RIHP) hospital, Ammathi.
CT scan machine is a critical medical technology that would help people by diagnosing ailments related to cancer, heart condition, road traffic accidents injury to head and pelvis, respiratory infections, spinal cord injuries, bowel disorder, internal bleeding, etc., to name a few. A CT scan facility would also aid in fluid or tissue biopsies and makes preparation and procedure for surgeries smoother.
Due to inaccessibility of this key infrastructure, a significant section of Kodagu’s society was forced to travel to neighboring districts to avail affordable medical care. Kodava Koota identified RIHP, a non-profit hospital that is providing affordable healthcare, as a partner to bring low-cost CT scan treatment to the population of Kodagu. Through fundraising activities, site visits, and due diligence spanning through a year, we are happy to announce that due to these efforts, the CT scan facility will be inaugurated on 25th April 2023 at Noon at the RIHP hospital premises. Whereas Coorg Foundation and RIHP will be responsible for maintenance and operations, Kodava Koota will continue to monitor the progress and impact of this facility.
We encourage the people of Kodagu to spread the word and take advantage of this life-saving facility for their medical needs.
We thank the donors of Kodava Koota who made it possible to raise $105,000 (approximately INR 87 Lakhs) towards this initiative. This is expected to be a milestone in Kodagu’s health care and a life-saving infrastructure. Kodava Koota is invigorated by the overwhelming support of its donors from the Kodava community of North America and envisions several such key initiatives in the future to help the population of Kodagu.
Kodava Koota Board
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August 13, 2022
Primary healthcare is an essential need for all of us. However, we have recognized that affordable healthcare is still out of reach for a large section of society in Kodagu. Even today, trauma victims in the many parts of Kodagu are forced to travel to neighboring districts to avail affordable medical care. Since healthcare in Kodagu is one of the core objectives of Kodava Koota, we have taken up an initiative to address this problem.
Kodava Koota has partnered with Rural India Health Project (RIHP) Hospital, Ammathi, to address the lack of necessary equipment to treat trauma patients in Kodagu. Several members of the board have visited RIHP to survey and identify the most pressing needs for the community. Although the needs are many, we have identified a dire need for a CT scan machine. RIHP’s research suggests that this CT scan machine can benefit around 1000 people annually. RIHP has agreed to enable this service for a small nominal charge (necessary to cover the maintenance of the machine).
After careful deliberation and due diligence, Kodava Koota and RIHP have identified the CT scan machine that is suitable for this purpose. The cost for setting up this facility is INR 100,00,000 (about $130,000). We are planning to use about $35,000 that is remaining from the Covid and Kodagu disaster relief initiatives towards RIHP initiative while raising the remaining funds through donations.
WHAT can this machine do: CT scan machine would largely help people by diagnosing ailments related to cancer, heart condition, severity in road traffic accidents related to head and pelvic injury, respiratory infections related to serious chest infections especially post the COVID-19 pandemic, spinal cord injuries, bowel disorders, and internal bleeding. A CT scan also aids in fluid or tissue biopsies and makes preparation and procedures for surgery smoother.
HOW can you help: We appeal to each and every one of you to come forward and donate generously. Please note that all donations made through Kodava Koota is tax deductible as it is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by IRS as tax-exempt by virtue of the charitable programs. Furthermore, we appreciate any contacts who can help us with this project — please let us know.
The Fundraiser is open till August 31, 2022.
