DISHA & DOSTI - FREE Diabetes clinic for the Poor

Ms Wahem Taj, an uneducated housewife / housemaker – from a poor family, walked in to a local doctor’s clinic when she had fever.  The doctor prescribed medicines and advised her urine test. With the laboratory report which showed sugar in the urine,  Ms Wahem walked into Samatvam Diabetes Center, Bangalore,  for FREE medical care [at the DOSTI (friendship) FREE Diabetes Clinic for the Poor, operating since 1995].  Thus, diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes at age of 33 years [2003], she got her health review done, received intensive counselling  from the Health Care Team.   Till date, over the last 13 years,  she visits the DOSTI Clinic regularly once in 3 months, to receive her medical review and medical tests, counselling and the entire stock of her diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and other medicines for the next 3 months [all FREE - approximately costing Rs 2000 – 3000]. 

Though, Ms Wahem Taj is totally illiterate, she is very much aware of the medicines she has to take various times of the day [she recognizes the medicines by color, shape, packing etc].   As soon as she feels any discomfort, immediately takes an appointment and walks into the DOSTI Clinic for medical advice.  She listens diligently to the medical advice and implements the same.  She enjoys good health, devoid of any diabetes complications.  Her smile has always been big and permanent.

She is a devout Muslim and her daily prayers are life sustaining. Her family is blessed with two well educated daughters   but she has the responosibility of carin for her sick/unemployed husband (previously a coolie).  Volunteers of Samatvam Trust and DOSTI Clinic are also helping to find a suitable job placement for the daughter with the help of some good samaritans.  

May this family flourish and prosper. Such families are the backbone of “real” India and its future.