Medics make a difference
A TEAM led by a Royston GP has returned from a mission to help poverty stricken villagers in north-west India. Dr Peter Gough is back at his surgeries in Barley and Royston after a successful trip. Dr Gough, who held medical and dental surgeries in Kha
A TEAM led by a Royston GP has returned from a mission to help poverty stricken villagers in north-west India.
Dr Peter Gough is back at his surgeries in Barley and Royston after a "successful" trip.
Dr Gough, who held medical and dental surgeries in Khandel and Sinodia covering 25 villages which are aided by Khandel-light, the charity he set up in 2000, said: "We went there not knowing whether the people would want our services.
"In the end we could have gone on forever.
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"We had on-going queues for both medical and dental camps."
His eldest son, Captain Will Gough, and fellow Army dentist Capt Seb Burn saw 120 patients in the open air.
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They extracted 20 teeth and after seeing that there was a problem with fluorosis - too much fluoride in the water, creating weak teeth - bought a box of toothbrushes and toothpaste and taught the local health workers how to brush teeth correctly.
Dr Gough, along with his other son James, a final year medical student at Cardiff University, saw a further 90 patients.
"To provide the health camps with two of my sons was mind-blowing, a tremendous experience and a privilege," said Dr Gough.
The four-man team took antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and painkillers with them, but had to visit the local pharmacy for more.
Dr Gough said: "Drugs are very expensive.
"One old lady was receiving treatment for a condition. She spent all her money on medication - so much money that she was not eating."
The most difficult problem the team encountered was the language barrier, and on its next visit plan to take a Hindi-speaking dental nurse and a physiotherapist.
Dr Gough now wants to establish a medical centre in Khandel where minor dentistry can be carried out, and records and drugs kept.
Although the project would need a significant donation, it would enable British and Indian doctors and dentists to visit and provide primary care and continuity for the communities, he said.
