medical services
Health and Hope for Slum Neighborhood
CBN.com – During the rainy season the slum-dwellers of Kalyanpuri in Delhi find it very difficult to manage their health problems. Poor living conditions, low income, and lack of education sometimes leads to serious health problems that could otherwise be prevented.
As the Operation Blessing India team visited this slum with their mobile clinic, they could see that most of most mothers were in poor health. They were told that there were many maternal deaths associated with pregnancy and childbirth since there weren’t suitable facilities for them.
Most of the children suffered from vitamin A deficiency that can lead to blindness. Diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, and respiratory tract infections were very common. About 80 percent of the children were malnourished, and only 1 in 3 children were immunized.
It was in these conditions that Rajini and her husband Ranjit raised their children Rajesh, Rashmi, and Seema. Ranjit worked as a daily wage laborer. Everyday he and other laborers like him would stand at the main road hoping to find some contract work for the day. Some days he could not find any work, which meant the family would not get fed. Rajini eventually joined her husband at work because she thought that it would help her family meet their expenses.
Rajini had a tough time when her 9-month-old daughter Seema fell ill with diarrhea and fever, which lasted three days. Rajini also became sick, which frustrated her since she could not go to work nor help her child get better. While Rajini was struggling to handle her baby’s illness, she heard about a medical camp being conducted by OB in partnership with the Smile Foundation.
Rajini didn’t waste any time and registered for help. The OB mobile medical van came equipped with a consultation room, ECG, X-ray equipment, and a mobile laboratory. Doctors said Seema had amoebiasis, an infection which affects the digestive system and is very painful for little children. Rajini was treated with medicine, also. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, vitamin supplements, and oral rehydration packets for Seema. The OB team counseled Rajini and told her about the importance of hygiene for good health and the proper intake of medicines.
OB provided medical services for more than 150 people in the slums at the mobile medical camp. They spoke to the slum dwellers, emphasizing the importance of good hygiene.
A local leader of the area said, “We are very relieved to hear that OB will be visiting Kalyanpuri slums periodically. We are grateful for your help and assurance. Thank you for giving all of us hope.”
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