Reg No: 143/2024
Trustees: Dr George Paul and Dr Bini George
F 72 Brindavan Road, Fairlands, Salem – 636016. TN.
A
Project Proposal for Philanthropic Support
Executive
Summary
The Panatt Medical Relief Trust
stands as a beacon of hope for those marginalized by the inequities of
healthcare access in India. Founded by two dedicated healthcare professionals,
Dr. George Paul and Dr. Bini George, the Trust is committed to making quality
health services available and affordable for the underprivileged.
With a combined experience of over
eight decades, the founders have seen the plight of the poor firsthand. Their
tireless service — nationally and internationally — forms the foundation upon
which the Trust is built. The Trust seeks to bridge the systemic gaps in
healthcare by facilitating access to affordable treatment options, offering
counseling, negotiating for subsidized services, and actively disseminating
healthcare information.
Through data collection, advocacy,
partnerships, and targeted financial assistance, the Panatt Medical Relief
Trust strives to empower the most vulnerable with the dignity of choice and
access to life-saving care. This proposal outlines our mission, operational
plan, funding requirements, and the transformative impact we aim to achieve —
inviting corporates, foundations, and philanthropic individuals to join hands
in this vital mission.
1.
Introduction and Background
India’s healthcare system is a
paradox of excellence and exclusion. While there are world-class hospitals and
cutting-edge technologies, large sections of the population remain deprived of
basic health services due to high costs, lack of awareness, and systemic
inefficiencies.
In response to this urgent need, the
Panatt Medical Relief Trust was founded by Dr. George Paul and Dr. Bini George,
under their family name "Panatt." Practicing in Salem, Tamil Nadu,
the founders have dedicated their lives to serving the community through their
professions and beyond.
Both have a track record of
extending free or subsidized care to those who could not afford it, often going
beyond professional obligations to ensure that patients received necessary
treatments.
Notably, Dr. George Paul’s
humanitarian work includes:
- Serving in the UNHCR's First Asylum Camp for Vietnamese
Boat People in Palawan, Philippines (1990)
- Volunteering in Montego Bay, Jamaica (1991 and 1993)
for Rotary International
- Working with Claretian Missionaries in Parrochio San
Antonio, Guatemala (1993)
- Serving in the UNHCR Detention Camp at High Island,
Hong Kong
- Volunteering at Kilimangago Mission Hospital, Thika,
Kenya
In India, he served gratis as Hon.
Medical Director of Sharon Cancer Centre for over 15 years, performing hundreds
of life-saving surgeries without charge.
Dr. Bini George has complemented
this work with her own commitment, undergoing specialized training in
Palliative Care from Pallium India and working with vulnerable groups such as
children with mental disabilities at CSI Balagnana Illam.
Both founders continued their
services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating resilience,
empathy, and dedication.
2.
Founder Profiles
Dr. George Paul
- Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- 40+ years of practice
- Extensive volunteer work with UNHCR, Rotary
International, and mission hospitals globally
- Hon. Medical Director, Sharon Cancer Centre (1995-2010)
- Chairman, Advisory Committee, Sharon Palliative Care
Centre
- Chairman, Institutional Review Board (Ethics), Salem
Polyclinic
- Director designate, Smile Train India, Salem (in the
process of accreditation)
- Qualified Lawyer and Ethicist
Dr. Bini George
- Dental Surgeon with advanced training in Palliative
Care (Pallium India)
- Volunteer Consultant at CSI Balagnana Illam
- Board Member, Palliative Initiative, Sharon Palliative
Care Centre
3.
Need Statement (Problem Analysis)
Despite numerous governmental health
schemes, a large segment of India’s population is still unable to access
affordable, quality healthcare. Key challenges include:
- High out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostics, surgeries,
and medications
- Lack of awareness of available government schemes and
affordable options
- Cartelization and inflated pricing of medical services
and drugs
- Limited access to trustworthy information on hospitals,
infrastructure, and costs
- Bureaucratic hurdles in accessing welfare health
initiatives
- Insufficient advocacy and navigation support for
economically vulnerable patients
- Bottlenecks and impediments in Insurance claims
- Defensive medical practices due to mob violence against
even genuine medical practices
Without intervention, millions are
pushed into poverty every year due to healthcare expenses, perpetuating a
vicious cycle of deprivation and ill health.
4.
Objectives and Mission of Panatt Medical Relief Trust
The Trust has a clear and targeted
set of objectives:
- Collect and disseminate data on healthcare costs across
different sectors.
- Provide counseling to patients seeking affordable
healthcare solutions.
- Employ a primary care physician / Health worker to
offer navigation support to the needy.
- Partner with hospitals to negotiate subsidized or free
treatment packages.
- Identify reliable sources for inexpensive generic
medications.
- Counter monopolistic practices that inflate healthcare
costs.
- Educate the public about treatment options and dispel
health-related myths.
- Apply ethical principles such as distributive justice
to ensure equitable resource allocation.
- Create a Dashboard/ Website for internet access and
communication for doctors and patients.
- Assist patients who are denied justified insurance
claims by engaging with third party providers and regulatory bodies.
Above all, the Trust pledges to preserve the autonomy of
patients in choosing healthcare providers, maintaining a neutral stance and
avoiding preferential promotion.
5.
Project Description and Approach
The Panatt Medical Relief Trust will
work on a multi-pronged approach:
- Data Collection:
Mapping diagnostic centers, hospitals, and private practitioners with an
analysis of pricing structures.
- Patient Counseling:
A walk-in helpdesk and telephone service to guide patients toward
affordable healthcare options.
- Hospital Partnerships: Collaborating with government and private hospitals to
secure discounts or preferential rates for needy patients.
- Pharmaceutical Access: Sourcing generic drugs through government outlets or
reputable pharmacies to lower medication costs.
- Awareness Campaigns:
Conducting educational sessions, press releases, and social media
campaigns to spread health literacy.
- Soft Activism:
Engaging with government bodies to streamline access to welfare schemes
and improve public healthcare infrastructure.
6.
Current Activities and Achievements (in one week of operation)
To be officially launched on 1st
June
Preliminary aid
- For free cleft lip surgeries in partnership with
private donations
- Arranged subsidized pathology and biopsy for several
patients
- Two free surgeries for head and neck tumours
- Free counceling
- Initiated data collection on healthcare costs and
service mapping in Salem.
- Begun preliminary negotiations with hospitals for
subsidized rates.
- A medical board is being constituted
The Trust’s growing network of
volunteers and goodwill ambassadors continues to drive momentum even with
minimal resources.
7.
Target Beneficiaries
- Economically disadvantaged patients requiring
diagnostic, surgical, or medical care
- Patients unaware of their rights under government
health schemes
- Low-income families vulnerable to catastrophic
healthcare expenses
- Marginalized populations including children, elderly,
and persons with disabilities
- Protecting the legal rights of health care providers
The Trust aims to benefit 500–1000
patients annually in the initial phases, scaling impact based on resource
mobilization.
8.
Expected Impact
By empowering patients with
information and facilitating access to affordable services, the Trust
envisions:
- Reduced financial burden of healthcare for hundreds of families
- Increased uptake of government health schemes
- Improved treatment outcomes through timely
interventions
- Greater public awareness about affordable healthcare
options
- Advocacy-driven improvements in health policy execution
at the local level
9.
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
To ensure accountability and measure
effectiveness:
- A database of assisted patients will be maintained.
- Monthly reports will track key metrics: number of
patients counseled, surgeries facilitated, funds disbursed, discounts
negotiated, etc.
- Annual audits will verify financial compliance and
impact assessment.
- Beneficiary feedback will be collected to improve
services.
10.
Sustainability and Scalability Plan
Sustainability will be achieved by:
- Diversifying funding sources (CSR, individual
philanthropy, foundations). The CSR certificate application is still
ongoing.
- Volunteer-driven operations to minimize administrative
costs
- Partnering with other NGOs and government initiatives
- Gradual scaling into neighboring districts based on
success metrics
11.
Funding Requirements and Budget
Monthly Estimated Operational Costs:
|
Item |
Cost
(INR) |
|
Part-time Medical Officer |
₹20000 (honaraium) |
|
Nursing Assistant |
₹5,000 (honaraium) |
|
Audit, Accounting and Office |
₹10,000 |
|
Furniture, Electricity, Internet |
₹5,000 |
|
Miscellaneous (Stationery,
Printing) |
₹3000 |
|
Total Monthly Running Cost |
₹40,000–45,000 |
Financial Aid for Patients:
- Dependent on case-to-case need assessment
- Estimated initial disbursement: ₹2–3 lakh per quarter
Annual Operational Budget
Requirement: ₹12-15 lakh (including patient aid)
12.
Governance, Compliance, and Transparency
The Panatt Medical Relief Trust is:
- Registered under the Indian Trusts Act
- We have obtained 12A, 80G certifications for tax-exempt
donations and registered with all statutory requirements including Darpan
- Application to receive CSR- in process
- Committed to full transparency with donors
- Subject to annual financial audits
- Guided by a Board of Trustees comprising experienced voluntary
medical and administrative professionals
13. Appeal for Support
We invite corporates,
philanthropists, foundations, and socially conscious individuals to partner
with the Panatt Medical Relief Trust. Your support can save lives, restore
dignity, and transform communities.
Together, we can ensure that the
accident of birth or circumstance does not determine a person’s right to
health.
Every contribution matters. Every
life matters.
