10% of Metis Clinics’ earnings goes towards humanitarian efforts.
As we expand and grow, we hope to help those in need both domestically and internationally.
Repalle, India, Free Clinic
Metis Acupuncture Clinics’ current humanitarian project is the Repalle free clinic. Repalle is located in southeastern India, in the state of Andra Pradesh. It is surrounded by rice fields. Many of its residents are farmers, who do not have access to affordable health care. Repalle is the hometown of Metis Clinics founder, Anita Tadavarthy.
Anita served with her family and classmates in the Repalle free acupuncture clinic for four months, from September 2007 through December 2007. The clinic treated over 100 patients a day and had over 5,000 patient visits in total. The free acupuncture clinic treated conditions ranging from allergies to infertility. Since most of the town’s residents are agricultural workers, laborers, and fisherman, the clinic, using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, primarily treated aches and pains, consisting mostly of back pain, low back pain with or without sciatica, pain related to herniated / bulging discs, neck pain relief, shoulder pain relief, elbow pain, pain related to carpal tunnel, knee pain, foot pain, joint pain, arthritis, and/or many other acute and chronic pain conditions.
Since the 2007 free acupuncture clinic, Anita returned to Repalle in November 2008 to assess the clinic’s overall success and to put forth plans to provide free surgery for Repalle area residents. On this trip, it is important to note that Anita discovered that she and her fellow classmates, through acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, were greatly able to resolve 65-70% of the clinic’s patients’ pain issues.
As of July 2009, Anita has had discussions with local Portland physicians and surgeons to provide free surgery for Repalle area residents. In 2010, Anita hopes to take a medical team, consisting of a scrub nurse, general surgeon, anesthesiologist, and orthopedic surgeon from Portland, Oregon, to Repalle, India, to assess the safely and feasibility of providing free surgery for Repalle area residents.
Currently, Repalle doctors are working with Anita’s family to gather resources, including labs, operating theaters, surgical equipment and supplies for free surgery for Repalle residents. Since Repalle is a small town, without a proper, full scale hospital, surgery for Repalle residents will most likely take place in the following scenario . . . (a) surgical candidates will be selected in Repalle; (b) lab work will be performed in Repalle (c) surgical candidates will be transported, through the Indian Railroad System, to the nearest town of Guntur, India (d) surgery will be performed in Guntur, with follow-up care to be given by both local Indian and Portland physicians and surgeons. It is important to note that the type of surgery, ie back and/or knee surgery, to be performed is to be determined.
Let’s wish Anita, the Tadavarthy family and local Portland physicians and surgeons well on this endeavor. If we are able to accomplish this, then in future years, free acupuncture and surgery can be provided, side by side, for Repalle residents.
2007 Repalle Free Clinic Letters
I am a 66 year old rice mill worker. I have been suffering from knee pain since 10 years. I joined the Acupuncture Free Medical Camp held on 5th, December 2007. I got relief from the knee pain in 4 sittings only. For further maintenance, I will take this treatment for further sittings also. Now, I am able to sit & stand easily. I am following the herbal powder which was given by Anita Tadavarthy. I am requesting that she come here once in a year to do help for us if time permits. Thanking you.
- N. Jawaharlal
I am a 45 year old tailor. I have been suffering from upper shoulder pain, back pain since 15 years. I joined the Acupuncture Free Medical Camp held on 5th Dec. 2007. I got relief from shoulder & back pain in 3 sittings. I am following the herbal powder which was given by Anita Tadavarthy. So, I am very thankful to Anita Tadavarthy.
- M. Vijaya Laxmi
I am a 29 year old housewife. I have been suffering from asthma & constipation since 8 years. I joined in the Acupuncture Free Medical Camp held on 5th Dec. 2007. I got relief from Asthma in 5 sittings. I will take this treatment for further sittings. I am following the herbal powder which was given by Anita Tadavarthy. I am requesting Anita Tadavarthy “please come here once in a year.”
- J. Saikumari
I am a 25 year old housewife. I have been suffering from gas & back pain since 4 years & allergy since 3 years. I joined in the Acupuncture Free Medical Camp held on 5th Dec. 2007. I got relief from back pain & gas. I am following the herbal powder which was given by Anita Tadavarthy. I am thankful to Anita Tadavarthy.
- D. Laxmi