Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

【Promoting motorbike riders’ safety through providing helmets】

In June last year (2018), Bodhgaya Rotary Club and AMDA jointly organized a campaign to promote traffic safety by donating 45 helmets to local motorbike riders in Bodhgaya, India. The effort was carried out to reduce the number of recurring traffic accidents in the accident-prone district. The initial inquiry was made by the local police to Bodhgaya Rotary Club, asking if helmets can be donated as part of its road safety awareness initiative. As is the case, the Rotary Club consulted AMDA about this matter and later reached an agreement that the two would purchase the goods by sharing the cost.

Amidst the sweltering heat with the temperature topping 40 degrees C, the road was filled with local motorbike riders who came to receive the helmets. Since they were offered on a first-come first-served basis, the police kindly offered assistance in keeping things organized. Riders with helmets are seldom seen in Bodhgaya, however, those who received the helmets immediately tried them on under the blazing sun.

 “I am so happy to receive the helmet because it will protect myself. Eventually, this will lead to saving my own family as well. I will definitely cherish this precious gift,” Mr. Hassan, one of the recipients, said. Five months after the event, a youth who received the helmet conveyed his gratitude and said he has been using it ever since. Indeed, it was a tangible sign that the awareness promotion had a huge influence on the locals.


 

【Concluding a MOU with Bodhgaya Rotary Club】

The road safety initiative triggered both Bodhgaya Rotary Club and AMDA to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding. This time, the two parties agreed to work together with a particular focus on disaster relief. It was based on the past experience in which AMDA collaborated with a local rotary club in the flood affected area in Kerala state to save the flood victims in August 2018. The story of this joint relief was shared in a monthly meeting at Bodhgaya Rotary Club. As a result, the club members expressed their wish to work with AMDA, while owing to the fact that it was the strong bond between regional Rotary Clubs that made the flood relief possible.

On 17 November 2018, with Bodhgaya Rotary Club Director Mr. Pathak, AMDA President Dr. Suganami and AMDA India Secretary General Dr. Meenakshi co-signing the Memorandum, the two parties concluded a formal partnership agreement.