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