(WXYZ) - One of the areas largest Hindu temples is reaching out to the unemployed and uninsured. The goal is to provide free medical care to those who cannot afford to maintain their good health.
WATCH CAROLYN CLIFFORD'S REPORT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHTFor 12 years, George Ionita worked as an automotive CAD designer. But now he’s out of work and worried about his health.
“I had some medical issues,” George told us. “High cholesterol and other things and I was supposed to have medical checkups it was very important to me.”
But George wasn’t able to pay for a doctor’s visit and medication. Then he heard about the SEVA program offered by the Bharatiya temple.
“They gave me the phone number of a doctor and for a very small amount I was able to check my health.”
Lalit Sehti is a member of the SEVA committee at the temple. SEVA stands for selfless service. And Lalit wanted to find a way for the Hindu community to make a difference in the society at large.
So, the temple recruited dozens of doctors and dentists to take on two patients a month for free. They found labs to provide testing at cost. Even mental health professionals have signed on.
As Lalit explained, “We have so many doctors here in Michigan from India so this is something we saw the potential and we initially talked to those doctors and we found positive response.”
Dr. Bindu Suresh was quick to volunteer for the program, because she had already seen the results of job loss in her practice. “I can see in my own patients, they don’t come in or they wait a long time before they come in, not filling their prescriptions. I wanted to do something to give back to the society because I’ve lived in Detroit for a long time.”
You don’t have to be Hindu to take advantage of the program. You or a family member just have to be temporarily out of work and without health insurance.
“We all are Americans so we do not distinguish Hindus,” Lalit explained
George, who is originally from Croatia.. Is grateful for this All-American gesture
“This idea is extremely generous.”
The SEVA Hotline number is 248-341-3727.
