Community health Programme in Sundarban

“ ………. My name is Aloka, 39 year’s old living with my husband and one son in Herambagopalpur village under Patharpratima block of South 24 Parganas district. My husband Mr. Gobinda is a fisherman goes to deep sea for catching fish with other fishermen by trawler (Big mechanized boat) of other owner. He used to go for his job for fortnights or month and I had to manage all the household matters.

Since last ten years I was suffering from acute constipation, respiratory problem and feeling trouble while speaking loudly; also had continuous pain in my knees and heap joints. I knew about the health centres and services of Sabuj Sangha, but didn’t have faith on that. During acute situation I used to go to several quacks for relief. I took medicines as per the advice of quacks yet; days, moths and years passed away but I didn’t get myself cured. Moreover, amount of health expenditure was increasing over the years. At certain point of time I became totally upset, hopeless and psychologically depressed.

One day I shared my problems to the health worker of Sabuj Sangha casually, who was a resident of my village. Knowing all those she advised me to attend doctor at outreach camp but I didn’t. After two months she met with me again and asked, “Did you attend our doctor?” I said, “No”. She surprised and said, “Why are you neglecting your health? The outreach camp location is within your reach, there is qualified doctor and you know, many people are benefitting with treatment? Despite having treatment facility at your door step you are suffering from health trouble. ….. See Aloka, I am your neighbor, want to see you well and would suggest you again to attend doctor at outreach camp once”. In the meantime my husband came to home for seven days and I shared all these with him. He said, “You can try at least, there is no harm in it”.

After a few days I went to doctor at outreach camp, although I had least reliance about the treatment of such camp. The doctor listened about all my complications and troubles with patience, examined, prescribed medicine and advised for dos and don’ts. I don’t know why, but passionate behavior, his logics behind my trouble and suggestions impressed me and I started taking medicine. Within a fortnight I felt, I am getting relief and then again I attended doctor for further checkup and advice. After one month I found, my trouble of constipation and respiratory problems were gone away. My pain of knees and heap joints are minimized and I decided continuing treatment under the doctor. …. Now I realized, I have done a great mistake. It would have better if I could attend doctor of outreach camp earlier. I convey thanks to doctor as well as the health worker of Community health programme of Sabuj Sangha.”