Healthcare to 12,000 poor in rural Bangalore

Dear donors & friends,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society

We gratefully acknowledge and thank you for your kind support that helped 3773 people receive basic healthcare through our mobile clinics during the past three months; needless to say the significant difference it has made to the lives of these people.

 In addition, we were able to check the sugar level (GRBS) in 1434 patients

Identified and referred 65 persons for cataract surgery in our hospital

Treated 884 persons with diabetes 

A chitter-chatter, walk and an exuberant life!

 "Are you ready?" squeals 60-year old Anjinamma, over the shrubs that separate her from her neighbour. "Will join you soon," comes the prompt reply. "What about Basavamma?" enquires Anjinamma? These women are not going to a wedding or for shopping; but instead, for a walk to improve their health, as the doctor had adviced.

 A few months ago, Anjinamma felt light-headed and slept most of the time. "Travelling to a nearby hospital took a lot of effort, time and money to pay for the transport and medicines. But, thanks to your mobile clinic, I feel my burdens have been lightened," she says, sporting a wide grin. The same women, a few months earlier, couldn't find the time for walking. Having become aware of the consequences of leading a sedentary life, they sharpened their time management skills. "We leave the house around 5.30 in the morning and get back at 6.30 - just in time for our morning household chores. Our sugar level has come down, and the cholesterol and thyroid level remains normal. We are active than ever before," responds all the three of them. 

Lack of transportation and money exclude the poor living in our remote villages from receving medical care.  But, not anymore; your support has helped the mobile clinic to reach them and provide care almost at their door step. Thank you!

A smile beyond medicines

 We believe healthcare goes beyond a medical diagnosis and a prescription. By providing holistic care, we spread joy, create opportunities, give knowledge and offer hope. At our tiny makeshift clinics we discover some health problems go beyond just physical ailments; but are a consequence of complex social and psychological issues.  The ever-smiling Sarojamma, who has been our patient for the past three years, just needed that extra support and counseling instead of  medicines. Though young, she suffered from several complaints; after a heart-to-heart chat with one of our doctors, she was restored back to health.              

She is also a leader and facilitator in her village; encouraging and motivating many of the women who often neglect their health, to attend the mobile clinic. "Previously, I often felt tired and fatigued. Looking after the cows was a herculean task and I ended up feeling depressed at the end of the day. Now, I feel energetic and full of vigor; we are a happy family working and enjoying life together," says Sarojamma with the smile that endorses her statement. 

 We are encouraged and motivated by your continued support; it gives meaning to what we do. Some of you have been our long-term donors. Thank you for believing in us and our cause.  We' be grateful if you shared this report with your family and friends who, like you, would be keen to support the poor who face several challenges in seeking healthcare.  We remain grateful.

 With gratitude,

 Gift Norman

Dear donors

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society!

It’s always a joy to share life changing stories with our friends who have kindly supported our work. Here’s a story of Shualab whose life was saved at the nick of time, because you helped to take our mobile medical team to the slum settlement, where he lives.   

The drums are back!

For a few days, the migrant community living in the Rachanahalli slum hadn’t heard the sound of Shualab’s drums. Each night, Shualab would carefully check the sounds of the drums he had made, before he packed them for sale the next morning.  He had been feeling sick for the past ten days, suffering from stomach pain. 

While Shualab and his brother came to Bangalore for a living, his family stayed back in his village in the Northern part of the country. All they knew was to make these drums called “Dollaks” and sell them on the streets of the city. They earned anything between zero to Rs. 900 per day, if the sale was good on that day.

Shualab was the first patient to be seen by our doctor, as soon as the mobile van reached his slum. “He looked sick with pain written all over his face and was clutching his stomach. He groaned when I felt his distended stomach. I knew straightaway that, here was a man who had to be rushed immediately to hospital” said the doctor.  He was diagnosed with appendicitis and was immediately operated to remove his infected appendix.  “I have never experienced such acute pain,” said Shualab, when Suresh, our Program Manager met him at the hospital later. “I thought I would lose my brother. What would I tell my mother if something happened to him?” said his elder brother.

When discharge day came, Shualab and his brother were concerned about the bill. We were able to help him; the doctors at the hospital wrote off 75% of his bill. Because of you, Shualab was able to receive timely help that potentially saved his life, through the mobile medical program you so generously support.

Back home, Shualab is recuperating and looking forward to getting back to his business and now one can hear his drums again!

We are grateful to each of you for walking with us on this journey to reach out to those who are in need. After all life is worthless, if we ignore people in need. We’d be delighted if you shared this story with your family and friends, so that they could also join us on this journey.

With gratitude,

Gift Norman

Dear donors

 Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society!

 It is indeed my pleasure to touch base and report on the happenings over the past three months in our project “taking healthcare to the door step” of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups and people living in the rural parts of Bangalore. This is possible only because of you and your gracious support; you have helped bring a smile in exchange of sadness, joy to replace sorrow and hope to end despair! Many lives have been touched and transformed because of your generosity and kindness. Thank you!

 For the poor and marginalized, life is exceedingly tenuous. The lack of food, clean water, sanitation, poor access to quality healthcare causes so much pain, turmoil, despair and hopelessness! Lifting them out of this pit is our mission and I’m glad you are a partner in this noteworthy mission. God bless you and yours!

Shiva's story reveals the consequences being uninformed, neglecting symptoms and not getting timely help! Shiva didn’t know that if you ignore high blood pressure, it can leave you dead due to a heart attack or disabled due to a stroke and consequently lead a poor quality of life. “Whenever I had profound sweating or giddiness, I brushed it aside and blamed it on the summer heat, said Shiva.” But when Nandish, our healthcare worker heard this, he was alarmed. He realized that Shiva’s symptoms were not due to the summer heat and cannot be ignored.  Nandish advised him to attend our mobile clinic that was visiting Shiva’s village the following day. 

 Dr. Priya managing the rural mobile clinic that day took note of his symptoms and found his blood pressure to be very high. She gave him some immediate treatment and advised him to change his lifestyle and take medications regularly. A series of tests at our rural hospital revealed his cholesterol levels were high. This was also treated.

Shiva changed the way he lived based on advice he got at the mobile clinic. He got used to the change in his food habits, that his wife insisted he followed. He began to enjoy his morning walks. He never missed his daily medication. He even advised his wife, who has a thyroid problem to strictly follow medications and attend the mobile clinic regularly. “He is a completely changed person now,” she chuckles. During his morning walks, he greets his friends cheerfully, bragging about how a visit to our mobile clinic changed his life and renewed his health. His friends began to notice Shiva’s liveliness and wondered what the magic was?

 This is what you have helped us do…..touch lives with love, care, compassion and save lives!  You are the reason why we can take medical care close to homes of people, where none exists; it could be as simple as checking their blood pressure or sugar level, deliver much-needed medication and medical supplies at very affordable costs, and thus saves lives!

 Through your support, we were also able to reach out to 68-year old Gangamma. Gangamma is a widow and survives on her meagre old age pension and intermittent agricultural work in the nearby field. One day,  Madhu, our healthcare worker was on his routine rounds and home visits. When he entered Gangamma’s house, he saw that she was clearly in distress. She was pointing to her lower stomach area and complained of pain. Madhu advised her to come to the mobile clinic that was coming to her village.  Dr. Shilpa at the mobile clinic, examined her and suspected that Gangamma had an infection in her uterus and started her on treatment. Gangamma’s infection was controlled and she was relieved of pain. Though she feels sorrowful about her loneliness (her children do not visit her), she's comforted by the regular visits of Madhu, and says, "the only visitor I get is Madhu."

 Like Gangamma there are many other women in poor health needing your support; not only to overcome their physical ailments, but also to overcome their loneliness and isolation.

Thanks to your love and support, we reached 6125 people who needed healthcare through our mobile clinics

•  Treated  2713 patients through our mobile clinics, ensuring the poor enjoyed quality and affordable care
• Performed 1073 GRBS in our mobile clinics – helping the community to adapt a healthy life.
• Completed 40 cataract surgeries – enabling the elders to have a better vision – many of them live alone.
• Treated  2298 diabetic patients, helping them to keep their sugar levels under control and protecting them from further complications

 We love what we do; but we cannot do it alone - and we need your support. We hope you'd continue to help us make a difference in the lives of the poor.

 With gratitude,

 Gift Norman

 “Our lives are worthless if we ignore human need”

Dear donor,

As we begin 2019, we look back with joy and thankfulness to you for supporting our work at Bangalore Baptist Hospital  Society that touched and transformed the lives of so many people in 2018.

Thanks to your support, from October to December 2018, we we were able to take healthcare to the doorstep of 3117 people living in remote rural villages. We'd like to share two stories to illustrate the difference you have made to the lives of people living on the fringes of society. 

 Like many other women, for 65-year old Muniyamma from Nagamangala village of Devanahalli sub-district, travel and accessing healthcare wasn’t easy. “Travelling into town, changing two buses is tiresome and expensive. So, we never even think of periodic check-ups. We leave everything to God or fate,” say the women in the village in unison.

Three years back, Muniyamma shuffled her way to our mobile clinic that visited her village that day. She was in obvious distress due to stomach pain, nauseated and hadn’t eaten for days. Soon after consultation, the doctor at the mobile clinic knew there was something seriously wrong and immediately referred her to our hospital in the city, 40 Kms. away. Our team was able to arrange for an ambulance to get her there.  She was diagnosed to have stones and infection in her Gall Bladder. “We live hand-to-mouth, and there’s hardly any income to spare for adequate food, let alone medical expenses,” says Muniyamma who lost her husband early in her life and stays with her son, who is addicted to alcohol. “Thank God, the hospital gave me a huge reduction, and out of Rs.1,40,000 (US$1965), I was asked to pay only Rs 20,000 (US$280). You saved my life,” she says gratefully.

“Now with your mobile clinic visiting our village regularly, I never miss my check-up. You bring healthcare closer to my home along with medicines at reasonable cost,” adds a cheerful and vibrant Muniyamma.

“The joy is back” Munniyamma says with her radiant smile. With improved health and time on her hands, she has bought some sheep and happily walks around grazing them. Thanks to you for your gracious support. 

We would also like to share the joy of 75-year old Ammayamma of Nagamangala village. Being a widow, she is entirely dependent on her sons. Hence, seeing a doctor depends on her sons' availability. Suffering from diabetes and hypertension for the past ten years, Ammayamma needs regular check-up and medications. Through a neighbor, she came across Krishnamurthy, our field assistant and she hasn't stopped smiling since then. "I am delighted. I have to only take a few steps from my house, and I get all the attention and treatment I need. How fortunate we are. We get a chance to explain to the doctors and nurses how we feel. And they never get tired of patiently replying all our queries. We are privileged. My diabetes and hypertension are under control now." 

And there is Janardhan whom we have reported on earlier. While he makes arrangements for a caretaker to be with him at the hospital during his surgery for varicosity, our regular visits keep his hopes alive. His wife, the only earning member in the family, cannot afford to take a break from work. and be with him during his surgery. However, we are hopeful of finding a solution. A grateful Janardhan cites his improved health condition to our care. Even the community members point out that his ulcers have healed and the swelling on his legs have drastically come down. 

Along with Munniyamma, Ammayamma, and Janardhan, we have: 

• Treated 3117 patients through our mobile clinics, ensuring the poor enjoyed quality and affordable care
• Performed 1043 GRBS in our mobile clinics – helping the community to adopt a healthy life.
• Completed 29 cataract surgeries – enabling the elders to have a better vision – many of them live alone
• Treated 2701 diabetic patients, helping them to keep their sugar levels under control and protecting them from further complications

Thank you, it's only beacuse of people like you that we can save lives, and we are so grateful for your generosity. 


With gratitude, 

Gift Norman

Dear friend,

We have some wonderful news !

Your thoughtful and generous support is touching so many lives; even adding days, months and years to their lives !

We couldn’t but help smile with deep sense of gratitude when we heard what had happened to Janardhan, Narayana, Chikkanarayanasway, Muniappa and the 3997 people who visited our mobile clinics from July to September 2018.

Be inspired and blessed reading their stories. Thank you for the difference you make to their lives. 

Like Janardhan ….

A foot ulcer, high blood sugar and a prolonged stay at the hospital left Janardhan and his family penniless and homeless. He was forced to send his children aged six and eight to a government hostel. It broke his heart.  His high blood sugar levels had affected his vision, and he had to rely on his wife even for simple tasks. “We lost everything, including our home; and what pains us most, is the separation from our children. We are emotionally and financially drained” said Janardhan on his first visit to our mobile clinic held in his village.

“He needed daily insulin injections that cost round Rs.800 (US$ 11) per month, besides other medication.  With proper medication and wound care provided free of cost, Janardhan’s diabetes is under control. However, Janardhan needs further surgery and skin grafting for his ulcer.  We’re happy that he came to us at least at this juncture,” says Dr. Bindhya, one of our doctors.

“Both us are thankful to the mobile clinic team and the hospital staff who treated me. They certainly are a cut above the rest,” says Janardhan gratefully.

We thank YOU for helping us reach out to persons such as Janardhan; we hope you’d continue to support Janardhan for his further treatment.

And Chikkanarayaswamy—a 65-year old man who didn't fully realize that having high blood pressure and blood sugar can have life-threatening consequences. Till the time he visited to our mobile clinic, he wasn’t taking any medication.  He often fell sick. His wife was at a loss as what to do till they came to our mobile clinic. “Now I feel better; I eat healthy food, do not miss taking my medicines or walking. I eagerly wait for Madhu’s visits (our healthcare worker), who counsels and encourages me. Thank you for guiding me to have better health", he says with a smile.

Narayana—who has been our patient for the past seven years is so thankful to the mobile clinic, that reaches his doorstep. The entire family visits our hospital for any ailment even though they have to travel 40 kilometers, which they feel is still worth it. “I am comfortable with talking to the doctors who patiently explain about my medications and diet. I wouldn’t go to any other hospital,” says the cheerful Narayana.

For people such as Janardhan,  your support  transformed a hopeless situation to one of hope and renewed life again. “Not only do we receive love and care, but receving care at our door step at very affordable costs is a God-given gift,” echoes Narayana and his family.  Again, we thank you for your kind donation. You are part of their lives too.

Along with the above:

• Treated 3997 patients through our mobile clinics, ensuring the poor enjoyed quality and affordable care
• Performed 1221 GRBS in our mobile clinics – helping the community to adopt a healthy life.
• Completed 39 cataract surgeries – enabling the elders to have a better vision – many of them live alone
• Treated 680 diabetic patients, helping them to keep their sugar levels under control and protecting them from further complications

Imagine if you or a loved one needed a doctor, but were not able to reach one because of financial constraint or inaccessibility. For people in Bangalore Rural, getting to the nearest medical facility may mean travelling more than 60 kilometers and burning a hole in their pockets.

Your kind gift brings hope and miracles to the lives of the poor who look to us for their basic healthcare. We are happy that you're a part of this miracle story ! 

We have also added as additional document our annual report carrying stories of people we have helped overcome their challenges in life. We hope you’d enjoy reading these life-changing stories.

With gratitude,

Gift Norman

Links:

• Our Annual Report