Georgia State Representatives Michelle Au and Todd Jones Attend Event as Guests of Honour
Atlanta: More than 60 physicians and healthcare professionals from the Indian-American community came together in Georgia to provide free and subsidised healthcare services to hundreds of residents at a mega health fair organised by the Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum (AIWF).
Held on July 18 at DeSana Middle School in Alpharetta, the community health initiative attracted more than 400 preregistered participants and delivered over 850 physician consultations and health screenings.
The event was organised as part of AIWF’s broader effort to improve access to healthcare and promote preventive health practices through regular community clinics, health education programmes and wellness initiatives.
Georgia State Representatives Michelle Au and Todd Jones attended the health fair as guests of honour, joining community leaders, healthcare professionals and volunteers in supporting the initiative.
The health fair offered participants access to a broad range of medical and wellness services under one roof. These included consultations with physicians, preventive health screenings, diagnostic and laboratory tests, health education sessions, nutrition and fitness guidance, and alternative medicine consultations.
Laboratory tests were made available at free or subsidised rates, allowing participants to access basic diagnostic services that might otherwise involve significant costs.
The event also featured consultations in Ayurveda and homeopathy, along with a blood donation drive aimed at encouraging community participation in public health initiatives.
According to AIWF, the programme was designed to provide residents with an accessible opportunity to discuss health concerns, seek professional guidance and better understand the importance of preventive healthcare.
More than 60 doctors and healthcare professionals volunteered their time for the event, representing a wide range of medical specialties.
Participating physicians included specialists in family and internal medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, psychiatry, endocrinology, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, nephrology, pulmonology, dermatology, dentistry, orthopaedics, neurology and rehabilitation medicine, among other fields.
The diversity of specialties allowed participants to seek preliminary medical advice on a variety of health concerns without the need to visit multiple facilities.
Among the medical professionals who participated were medical oncologist Dr Jayanthi Srinivasaiah of Georgia Cancer Specialists, psychiatrist Dr. Ritu Chaddha, endocrinologist Dr Rachna Relwani, Dr Laxmi Naik, pain-management specialist Dr Medha Pradhan and diabetes-awareness advocate Dr Nalini Saligram, founder and CEO of Arogya World.
Organisers said the health fair generated more than 850 physician consultations and diagnostic screenings during the event.
The strong response exceeded the organisers’ initial expectations, with registrations significantly higher than anticipated. To manage the large number of appointments, organisers introduced an artificial intelligence-based scheduling system.
The technology helped match participants with physicians according to their preferred medical specialties and allocated consultation and screening slots based on doctors’ availability.
According to the organisers, the system helped streamline appointments, minimise waiting periods and improve the overall flow of participants throughout the event.
The use of technology also enabled volunteers to manage a large number of appointments more efficiently while ensuring that participants were directed to the appropriate medical professionals.
A major focus of the health fair was preventive healthcare. Participants were able to discuss existing health concerns, ask questions and receive guidance on possible follow-up care.
Organisers stressed that the consultations were intended as an accessible first step rather than a substitute for a comprehensive medical examination or an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician.
The initiative encouraged attendees to take greater responsibility for their health by identifying potential concerns early and seeking appropriate medical care when necessary.
Health education, nutrition and fitness sessions also formed an important part of the programme, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on wellness and disease prevention rather than treatment alone.
For AIWF, the mega health fair represents the beginning of a longer-term effort to make healthcare resources more accessible to the community.
The organisation, established in March this year, said it plans to build on the response to the event by expanding its programmes to include regular community health clinics, educational initiatives and wellness activities.
“The Mega Health Fair is not the culmination of our journey, but the beginning of a sustained commitment to community wellness,” the AIWF co-founders said.
“We hope to build on this momentum through regular health clinics, educational initiatives and programs that make reliable health care resources more accessible.”
The organisation said future initiatives will continue to focus on improving community engagement and creating opportunities for people to access credible health information and professional guidance.
The Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum was founded by Chand Akkineni, Suma Potini, Gita Vemparala and Jyothsna Hegde.
The forum aims to promote women’s leadership, community participation and social service through educational, cultural and public-welfare programmes.
The founders said the organisation seeks to bring together members of the community to address issues affecting families and residents while encouraging greater participation in social and civic initiatives.
The health fair is among the forum’s first major public-welfare programmes and reflects its stated commitment to community service.
The organisers said the strong participation at the event demonstrated the demand for accessible healthcare services and health information within the community.
For many participants, the fair provided an opportunity to speak directly with medical professionals, undergo basic screenings and receive guidance on potential next steps for their health concerns.
By bringing doctors from multiple specialties together in a single community setting, AIWF and its partner organisations sought to reduce barriers to accessing healthcare and encourage people to prioritise regular check-ups and preventive care.
The organisers said they hope the initiative will develop into a continuing programme of community clinics and wellness activities, extending the impact of the July 18 health fair beyond a single day.
With more than 850 consultations and screenings delivered during its inaugural mega health fair, the Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum said it plans to use the experience and community response as a foundation for future healthcare and public-welfare initiatives across Georgia.