By Krishnakuntala Banerji | Communication Manager
The COVID-19 crisis has been immensely difficult for the underprivileged communities. While the risk of infection has been concerning, the lockdown’s effect on their income has troubled them the most. It is hard to care about one’s health when they are worried about their next meal.
Sanaka’s family went through this ordeal during the 2020 lockdown. As a 50 year old woman living in rural West Bengal, hardships are not new to her. The pandemic, however, put her and her family through extreme and unprecedented financial difficulties.
Sanaka’s husband, the sole earning member of the family, is a van puller. They didn't have much savings but his earnings had always been just about enough for the family to afford the necessities, including basic medical care. Then the pandemic hit India. Once the lockdown was declared, he could no longer transport passengers. They completely lost their income.
Such was the state of the family that Sanaka couldn’t even seek medical care. She had started developing issues in her eyes but didn’t have the means to seek treatment. Their financial distress didn’t end after the lockdown. Many were still in fear of the virus. Her husband didn’t have many passengers and they were barely making enough to make ends meet. Her health was suffering severely. Then she found out about our healthcare centre in Patuli village of Purba Bardhaman district.
Her very first visit to our clinic proved useful. Affordable care allowed her to continue the treatment. Her health started improving and she started feeling better.
At present, Sanaka’s family is yet again struggling with their earnings. The lockdown, called to fight the devastating second wave of COVID, has yet again affected their livelihood. Our centres, however, are continuing to help the patients from poor and low-income backgrounds access high-quality care.
Primary care has always been crucial for the wellbeing of any community but the COVID-19 pandemic has made the role of affordability evident in helping the disadvantaged groups seek treatment.
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