By Gift Norman | Deputy Director, Head - Community Health Division
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:
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
By Gift Norman | Deputy Director, Head, Community Health Division
By Gift Norman | Deputy Director, Head - Community Health Division
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