Maya Bai’s son is examined by a doctor at OBI’s free clinic. Lack of affordable health care kept Maya from being able to get medicine for her two sick children.

MADHYA PRADESH, India – Seeing her children sick and unable to function normally left Maya Bai feeling hopeless and desperate.

The 32-year-old mother of four was already struggling to care for her children, when two of them became seriously ill. There was no means to take them to the hospital, let alone buy medicine.

The family lives in the slums of Madhya Pradesh, where Maya’s husband works for the railway as a porter. The family lives day-to-day on whatever wages he is able to bring home.

Some days, there is barely enough to buy food.

In response to the great need, OBI hosts monthly free medical clinics in poor neighborhoods throughout India.

Maya’s desperation increased as she watched the health of her children, ages seven and seven months, quickly deteriorate.

Operation Blessing, in response to the lack of available or affordable health care for residents living in the slums of Madhya Pradesh, hosts ongoing medical missions in the area. In July of this year, more than 53,000 people received free medical care in 116 camps.

When Maya learned a medical camp was being held in a nearby neighborhood, she rushed her children there. After an examination, a doctor prescribed medicine and antibiotics for the children’s viral infections, and gave the family multi-vitamins as well as nutritional supplements.

“Now I know my children will be alright," said Maya, after receiving treatment and medicine for her children. “Thank you so much."

Doctors also instructed Maya on ways to better care for her family’s health and hygiene. Maya, who is hypertensive and suffers from anemia, was grateful for the support.

“Now I know my children will be alright," she said. “Thank you so much."

Throughout India in July, Operation Blessing performed four cleft lip surgeries, distributed 2,744 pairs of glasses and gave medicine, food and counseling to more than 1,100 people with HIV.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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