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This wonderful photo was taken at Mahila Milan 2008, PRASAD Chikitsa’s program for the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in honor of International Women’s Day. Read more
Health Regained, Hope Restored: Two Case Studies from PRASAD’s HIV/AIDS Program
Note: Names have been changed to protect privacy.
Ram’s Story
Ram was carried into PRASAD Chikitsa’s Family Health Center by his relatives. He was very emaciated, weak and suffering from several opportunistic infections related to HIV. The relatives believed he would die within two to three days. Neighbors and relatives had stopped entering his house for fear that they would catch his disease. Ram’s economic condition also had deteriorated, as he had to sell his buffalos and assets to pay for the medicines given to him by a private doctor.
The Family Health Center referred Ram to the hospital where his condition was stabilized. Upon discharge, he began to follow up regularly at the center. All his opportunistic infections were treated and he was placed on antiretroviral therapy. His condition has improved so dramatically that he is now back at work supporting his family. Ram is in excellent spirits, and his neighbors and relatives are starting to enter his house again. When Ram visits the Family Health Center, he always shows his gratitude and respect to the staff for their loving care and support.
Shriniwas’s Story
Shriniwas is a 36-year-old laborer. He, his wife and his daughter all are HIV positive. Because he was suffering from seizures, he was unable to work regularly.
After coming to PRASAD’s Family Health Center, Shriniwas was referred to the Epilepsy Clinic at KEM Hospital in Mumbai. He was very fearful of going to the clinic as he had previously been admitted to a private hospital where he had to pay a large amount of money, with no improvement in his health. A PRASAD social worker took Shrinjwas to KEM Hospital, where he was diagnosed as epileptic and was asked to get a MRI of his brain. Due to his poor financial condition, he was unable to pay for the cost of the MRI, but PRASAD was able to negotiate an affordable rate.
After the MRI report, Shriniwas was started on epileptic medicine. He has been free of seizures for many months now and is able to hold a regular job. Shriniwas and his family follow up at the Family Health Center regularly and are very grateful for the continual care and support they receive.