Monday, March 29, 2010

HMRI services in Telemedicine Sector- Recognition by EDELGIVE FOUNDATION: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Celebrity Celebration to Dr AP Ranga Rao
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Sixteenth March, 2010 evening shall remain as the day filled with sweetest memories, for many relatives and friends of Dr AITHARAJU PANDU RANGA RAO, currently Advisor to HMRI (Health Management Research Institute), set up by former Chairman of Satyam computers Ramalinga Raju. It was a rarest of rare events organized in a simple way on the terrace in front of my rented penthouse to which I happened to be a privileged partner. The idea floated by three Idiots -my daughter Bunti, her cousins Shamanth and Bharat- was to celebrate the Global Recognition to HMRI and recognition of HMRI services in Telemedicine Sector by EDELGIVE FOUNDATION. Well, Dr Ranga Rao as the leading team member happened to be instrumental in conceiving, developing and implementing the center jointly established by Aitharaju Foundation and HMRI in his native village Vallabhi in Khammam District.

It was equally meant to appreciate and congratulate Ranga Rao for his envious work benefiting thousands of people and pave way for similar centers elsewhere. He has been guiding almost all members of well-knit family besides several others.

Dr AP Ranga Rao, developed ‘Health for All’ concept and ensured its effective implementation with the cooperation of state government as well as a Corporate giant in the form of 108 and 104 services in Andhra Pradesh. These services not only hailed by Union government, but also recognized as the ‘role model’ for other states to replicate.

No sooner I returned from USA, my daughter informed me about her uncle Dr Rao’s HMRI getting the award, I was delighted equally. She was quick to take up the responsibility of making a video clip on Dr Rao’s career with the help of her uncle Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao, who takes care of HMRI’s Public Private Partnership function and part of the team. Her two cousins were quick to chip in to support her in organizing a get together of not only our well-knit family members, but also of HMRI staff as well as well-wishers.

Equally supportive was Dr. Balaji Utla, the Chief Executive Officer of HMRI, under whose over all leadership HMRI was recognized for the Tele Medicine Award. Initiating the celebrity celebration mood of the evening Dr Balaji introduced Dr Ranga Rao to all those present on the occasion and know him well. But that was a different introduction. The multi-dimensional approach of Dr Ranga Rao, to conceive, initiate, develop, implement and sustain a variety of health related programs benefiting lakhs of people was elaborated in detail by Dr. Balaji. He also explained about the Tele Medicine Project and its uniqueness. Later his Colleague Dr Dayakar gave few more details including about Dr Ranga Rao. EMRI CEO Venkat Changavalli recollected his association with Dr Ranga Rao and how as the conceiver of 108 project initially guided him enabling EMRI to grow and move to 10 states.


But, Dr Rao is a hard nut to crack as he opposes to felicitations. How to convince him? How to capture some of his visuals and make him speak on the concepts he had developed? Really a tough job to do! But, another relative of mine, who happens to be a professional journalist, had not only quick remedy but knew the knack to make people talk. Perhaps, that was basic need of his profession. He too joined my daughter to help execute her plan. It was Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao who with the help an award winning Camera Man shot the film.

Dr Ranga Rao born in a remote village Vallabhi in Khammam District obtained his M.B.B.S. in 1965 from Gandhi Medical College Osmania University. After working as Medical Officer in Government Hospital, Burgampad in Khammam District Tribal Area he moved to United Kingdom for higher studies. While serving in the UK National Health Services, in Orthopedics, Anesthesia, Obstetrics, Pediatrics and Geriatrics, he obtained three diplomas- DA, DRCOG and DTM&H from London and Liverpool. On his return from UK he preferred a posting as Medical Officer in Bhadrachalam Tribal Area Hospital to work for more than six years before moving to Hyderabad. The thirty Years of his stay in Hyderabad converted the capital as the Hub of Medial and Health reforms for the entire Asia.

Well, if one has to recollect his contributions, it may not be possible. However we may mention few and the list would be certainly not exhaustive.

Dr Ranga Rao among others either planned and implemented or monitored or led the team or organized number of programs like: Family Welfare Program, Immunization Program, Pulse Polio program, Population Project, Child Health Project, Urban Health Project, Monsoon Shelters, Fund Rising for flood victims, for Red Cross, IPKF Operations, Technical Manuals development, Doctors Training, bringing Jaipur Foot to Hyderabad, Foot Care by Foot Wear program, disability prevention, and so on.

Dr Ranga Rao was active in voluntary field and held several important positions like General Secretary Doctors Association, Secretary National Institute of Social Action, Indian Delegate to "Disaster Management Workshop" South Asia and Pacific Region, Secretary National Information Services etc.,

He has been the Advisor to EMRI which established a call centre 108 for the state of AP, engaged in providing advice, free emergency transport, and pre hospital care and accessing patient to health facility in emergency in golden hour for stabilization and treatment. His role included providing concept, Architecture, design, algorithms, processes, monitoring tools and advocacy with Government. He is also Advisor to Satyam Foundation for Urban Health. He Developed models for “Integrated Urban health centers for providing comprehensive care for slum population”.

Friends, Relatives and Admirers of Dr. AP Ranga Rao on the evening of that memorable event heartily Welcomed him and said the welcome was not just for the recent achievement but for all those life-long, life-time, continuous achievements. They all wished him to continue to achieve every day, every minute. “We all love you and like you-but can we ever become LIKE YOU?” conclude the brothers, sisters, niece, nephews and all the friends.

Among those who attended were former Vigilance Commissioner and Senior retired IAS Officer RC Samal, former Chairman Press Academy Devulapalli Amar, former Director DD News RVV Krishan Rao, former legal Advisor to DGP M Ramakishan Rao, former IG Police R Seetaaram Rao, Cardiologist Dr Dayasagara Rao, former Superintendents of Gandhi Hospital Dr Nagabhushanam and Dr. Parimala, veteran Journalist Adiraju, HMRI and EMRI CEO s Dr Balaji and Venkat etc. Minister for Civil Supplies JK Rao presented a memento to the HMRI Team. Dr Ranga Rao who is normally against any type of felicitation was a different person that day and unlike in normal occasions responded to the celebration with a ten minute memorable speech.

Bunti and her team of “three idiots” supported by the elderly Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao have exhibited “how we can make a difference” in organizing events. Well Done!

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