MedicAlert^® launches Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr Harish Rajpal

Last Wednesday evening the Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy officially launched a scholarship fund that will provide financial support to those working on harm prevention initiatives.

The ‘Harish Rajpal MedicAlert® Scholarship’ has been conceived by the MedicAlert® Foundation in partnership with the family of Dr Harish Rajpal, as a living tribute to the memory of Dr Rajpal.

Some 70 people attended the launch of the Scholarship Fund at Expressions Whirinaki in Upper Hutt. Guests included members of Rajpal family, representatives of the health community in Wellington, the Indian Embassy, local dignitaries, and MedicAlert® members, staff and board members.

Dr Harish Rajpal who died earlier this year was a leading visionary in healthcare in New Zealand. He was involved in the establishment of the first Medical Centre in New Zealand, in Upper Hutt, and was instrumental in establishing MedicAlert® Foundation as it is known today in New Zealand from 1970. He was the Foundation’s first Medical Director and its longest-serving volunteer. A humble unassuming man, Dr Rajpal won the respect of the community, the medical profession and all those who were privileged to have contact with him. He won international acclaim when his lifetime service to the Foundation was recognised by being awarded the prestigious MedicAlert® International Marion Collins Award in 2013.

MedicAlert® Foundation chief executive Murray Lord said, “Harrish made a lifetime commitment to the Foundation to protect and save lives. It is in this spirit that the Harrish Rajpal MedicAlert® Scholarship has been established and will come to life.”

It is intended that scholarships will be awarded to outstanding candidates undertaking projects that make a tangible contribution to preventing avoidable harm. Avoidable harm is estimated to cost more than $700 million in New Zealand each year. Preventing avoidable harm not only saves money but also prevents people from becoming dependent and enables limited resources in the health sector to be deployed more productively. More importantly, it prevents unnecessary suffering and saves lives.

MedicAlert® and the Rajpal family have seeded the scholarship fund, and a Givealittle page has been created to provide a means for supporters to contribute to and grow the fund, see: givealittle.co.nz/cause/scholarship-fund.

The Foundation anticipates announcing the first scholarship recipient within 12 months. 

ENDS

About MedicAlert

MedicAlert® is a non-profit registered charity which has been operating in New Zealand since 1962.

Our mission is to save lives by providing medical information in emergency situations.

Internationally, MedicAlert® has been saving lives for over 60 years. 

In emergency situations, responders and clinicians need a simple way to get more information about you, that's why they check for the famous, clinically validated and service supported, body worn MedicAlert® Medical ID. They know your vital information comes directly from your doctor, so they can trust it and act on it immediately.

MedicAlert® offers more than a piece of jewellery - it offers greater peace of mind through a full range of support services including:

• MedicAlert® is the only Medical ID service that provides a 24/7 emergency hotline to support first responders with vital information on your medical condition
• the ability to keep your medical records up to date at all times
• a unique medical ID number connected to your specific medical information
• a membership services office available during business hours
• a medical emergency wallet card (which can be renewed as required).

New Zealand Health Practitioners refer their patients to receive MedicAlert® Services to enable more timely diagnosis and treatment in an emergency and to prevent avoidable harm.

MedicAlert® provides international protection. Wherever you go - MedicAlert® can provide peace of mind.