Breathing life into public health

Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) formally introduced its volunteer group, ‘Prajaaryogya Mitras’ at MNJ Cancer Hospital in Lakdikapul on Wednesday. The group, which has been functional in the hospital for over a year now, is part of the NGO’s support system designed to serve the economically weaker sections in the city.

“A significant number of patients who access public health care in the city are from rural areas. They need guidance and support in the large multi specialty government hospitals in the city. Helping Hand Foundation’s volunteers are now part of a supporting system designed to serve the economically weaker sections,” said founder of HHF, Mujtaba Hasan Askari.

The team of 11 ‘Prajaaryogya Mitras’ are now seen in State-run hospitals every morning. Trained in basic life support techniques each volunteer attends to 10–15 cases per day. “Over the past year they saved more than 1,000 lives,” said Askari.

Dr N Jayalata Director of MNJ Cancer Hospital and Regional Cancer Hospital said, “The volunteers have been a great source of support to the patients who need timely guidance and logistical support in large government hospitals.”

Introducing the members, Askari said, “Swaroopa, a volunteer at MNJ cancer hospital has been untiringly counselling cancer patients to give up tobacco and smoking. Sayeed has been working with maternal cases at Gandhi Hospital and helping them get blood products and investigations from outside. Jason Debora has so far rescued more than six destitute patients with HIV, TB and Leprosy and helped them move to rescue homes.

Wajid admitted 14y-year-old AIDS patient in the hospital, who was deserted by his family. Mannan is encouraging people to donate blood for the cancer patients.” “The group, which serves as a link between doctors and patients, also provides bedside assistance to destitute patients without attenders not only from districts but to a host of other patients from the city as well,” he said.