It was an ordinary day in the clinic .I saw a family who stood out stark.My heart jumped with joy to see them. Not that I knew them personally, but when they come to the hospital on their own it makes our day. These are our friends from the Musahir bastis sprinkled around Majhwa.I had seen Mari a few weeks back. She just strolled into the hospital ,informed us that she had completed the anti-tubercular medicine at the block and wanted a chest X-ray done.I could not understand the reason and so instructed someone to ask her to get her final sputum checked at the block which would be enough to deem her cured.
Three weeks later she was back with another family in the tow and again demanded a CXR off one of my junior colleagues who wheedled out a history of amenorrhoea from her.She turned out to be pregnant so naturally could not get a CXR done.My colleague got out another important information from her.She wanted the CXR to declare herself cured in the block hospital so that she could get her Rs 1000 renumeration that the government provided on completion of ATT.I found myself chuckling away ,gladdened to the heart to hear that.It was a novelty to see someone from that community aware of the government facilities so we tried to trace Prem our gentleman who looks after TB cases for us and networks with the government, to advocate for her. Prem knew her in person and has agreed to do the needful.
Both the children were malnutritioned ,the husband of one of the ladies had some cough and running nose. They had walked by foot all of two hours to come to our hospital.
Few things to celebrate for now-
1.They decided to walk all the way to our hospital for their treatment .It was a viral episode to say the least .Even educated people walk over to the medicine shop or the man about town who gives them the medicine for a ruppee or two.
2.The lady needed a CXR (or perhaps does not need it.)but she decided to come to us for it. Thank God ,she was pregnant.
There is someone around to advocate for her.
3.She knew about the government renumeration which could earn her around six days worth of daily wage .The poorest are often not able to benefit from government facilities due to lack of awareness or just the lack of drive?
4.She had completed her anti-tubercular treatment !.
5.We could write up some supplements for the children.
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