“We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem we just can’t solve.” ~ Linda Lingle
As rightly quoted above, very often when we come across the word “homeless”,first thing that strike our mind is “hopeless” because we see it as a problem we cannot solve.
But we (a group of 8 medicos) through SWITCH INDIA in collaboration with THE COVER PROJECT had an opportunity to closely had an opportunity to closely observe the health problems, diseases, suffering of the homeless(who literally live on street) which they are vulnerable to & provide them medical aid.
Aim- Doctors on street a project started last year to provide medical aid to families who literally live on streets. The aim of this project is to provide medical aid along with basic checkup’s & referral guidance.
Four teams were made (2 medicos with 1-2 volunteers) in each team were allotted & each team was taken to pre-decided areas starting from mira road to kandivali, kandivali to bandra via link road & s.v. road , kandivali to bandra via western express highway & jvlr to powai vikhroli.
Each team targeted 25-30 patients overall 80 people from various spots & screened them individually, medications were given according to the conditions they were suffering from.
First aids along with basic check ups, multivitamins, calcium & minerals were given who were severely malnourished & anaemic, prescriptions, referrals to the nearby government hospitals, emergency helpline numbers, information regarding 1 rs clinic were given along with importance of menstrual & general health & hygiene counselling were given.
It was an amazing experience with a reality check working with THE COVER PROJECT who donated umbrellas to the homeless. Volunteers guided & guarded us whenever required while screening the homeless.
We got a chance to closely observe the homeless & hear them speak their heart out. We received a positive feedback from many of them & were willing to change & do things what were expected out of them such as referrals to the nearby government hospitals, medications on time & physical therapy exercises prescribed to ones having musculoskeletal complications.
Psychological counselling was given too. Thanks to SWITCH INDIA & THE COVER PROJECT for giving us an opportunity to serve humanity & bring a change in the lives of homeless we often see has hopeless. We will be glad even if 1 or 2 of them would analyse & practice what we asked them to. Conducting such camps more frequently would definitely be of undue importance to the homeless. Looking forward to such more camps & eye opener experiences.
