Quality Cure for the Poor
Sandhya, aged 65 years, lives in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. She had been struggling with a knee pain for many years. She had literally ran from pillar to post, shown herself to a number of doctors and had taken their prescribed medicines, but to no avail. Her pain would keep coming back after completion of her medication.
In Sandhya’s village, the medical infrastructure is limited, thus villagers have little opportunity for quality treatment and care when they fall sick. Moreover, people’s poor economic condition restrain them from going to a private clinic during their sickness, because it is expensive.
The main livelihood of the people in the village is seasonal farming. The average annual income of a family from selling their land’s produce barely meets their household needs, let alone going for medical consultation to a private clinic. During medical emergencies, the villagers either resort to their traditional remedy or seek the help of the local quacks and witch doctors.
In villages like Sandhya’s, the medical wing of Nutan Jeevan Foundation (NJF)has been making significant impact with the help of the Mobile Medical Van that travels to remote communities to render basic medical aid and quality health care.
The medicines distributed during these camps prove effective as several patients inform that their health has improved. Eye checkup and need-based distribution of spectacles are done to help restore the vision of patients who cannot afford expensive eye-glasses. Additionally, patients diagnosed with cataract problems are referred to hospitals where surgery can be freely availed.
Beginning of 2018, Nutan Jeevan Foundation had conducted a medical camp in Sandhya’s village, and she was quick to avail that opportunity. After showing herself to a doctor during the camp, Sandhya felt encouraged and relieved. Sandhya received one-month medication for free after which she was asked to continue the same medicines for a few more weeks.
Sandhya says, “I had shown many doctors, but no one could provide a complete cure for my knee pain. When I heard about the medical camp happening in our village, I went and showed myself. The doctor was kind, took time to understand my problem and prescribed some medicines. I have found complete cure for my knee problem after taking the medicines, which has increased my faith in them. This time, I have come for an eye consultation because, I have faith in the doctors who come with Nutan Jeevan Foundation.”
The free medical camps NJF continues to organize in the villages throughout the year is bringing about significant impact. Many women like Sandhya are coming forward and boldly sharing how they have been benefitted through these camps, thus helping us to find community support.
