Inauguration of the Harkesh Nagar and Ali Extension clinics by Dr Peter Davies, TB Alert Trustee  

“TB Alert is working with VHAD to help to set up a network of TB clinics in very poor areas in the south west of the city, and I was honoured to be asked to lead the opening ceremonies for the two latest clinics.”

“In this first picture at the Harkesh Nagar clinic, I am being adorned with a garland of flowers and a red dot on my forehead, a traditional Hindu welcome.”

“Later, to much applause, I cut the ribbon and declared Harkesh Nagar clinic officially open.  We were then showered with more flower petals which I kept finding in my hair and jacket for the rest of the day!”

“Here at the inauguration of the Ali Extension clinic, VHAD’s President, Professor Ali Baquer gave a short speech, followed by Dr Banavaliker (Delhi TB Officer), and myself.  Local people including shop-keepers, media and business-people came along to listen – the queues of people stretched right out along the block! The speeches explained about the new DOTS clinic and how it was important to bring any friend who had a cough.  As it was the time of the cricket World Cup, and everyone was talking about cricket, I spoke about hitting tuberculosis for six – which went down well!”

“And finally, to really christen the clinic, I was asked to give DOT (Directly Observed Therapy) to Sunil, aged 10, the first official patient of the clinic.  Here you can see Sunil solemnly take his tablet, watched by his mother.  I said that soon, when his TB was better he would be able to start training to get into the local cricket team, and one day who knows we could see Sunil in a World Cup!”

“I very much enjoyed my visit.  I was welcomed like an old friend, and the hospitality was wonderful (perhaps too good for my waistline).  But much more importantly I did a full review of the clinical activities of the project, checking their diagnostic, treatment and record-keeping activities.  In the photograph on the right you can see Dr Banavaliker, Delhi TB Officer and I checking the TB register which had been set up for one of the new clinics.  I found the project to be excellently run, and am pleased to recommend our continued support.”