THERE are entire communities of people without access to medicine, doctors and medical treatment. This lack of access causes immense suffering and even death as a result of conditions and diseases that are preventable and can be treated. Most of these communities are marginalized people-groups such as tribal populations or rural communities that are often overlooked in the healthcare sector. But health NGOs across India are making great strides in bridging the gap between those who are in need of medical care and the service providers who will deliver it. 

World Health Day is celebrated and observed each year on April 7th to mark the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. The 2024 theme of World Health Day is ‘My Health, My Right’ and draws attention to the rights of ‘everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services’. In India, this includes the poor, rural communities and marginalized groups. 

In India, health NGOs have made it their mission to serve underprivileged communities with high-quality medical care using state-of-the-art medical equipment and resources. In doing so, health NGOs can remove the barrier between marginalized and overlooked communities and much needed medical care.

Here are 5 health NGOs in India making healthcare accessible for the underprivileged:

Nanritam

In the remote areas of West Bengal, there are thousands of people from marginalized communities who have no access to healthcare. For the elderly members of these communities, the lack of healthcare means they suffer from early blindness due to poor eye health and cataracts. This leaves old people in miserable conditions when they could easily be living productive lives if only they had access to a doctor. Nanritam is one of the health NGOs in India that brings medical care to these communities by holding medical camps, diagnosing conditions and providing eye surgeries for senior citizens in the district of Purulia in West Bengal. 

Ranjana Sengupta of Nanritam shares that “the extent of illiteracy and poverty in the villages of Purulia is shocking. These villages are so remote that not even one eye-care institution has ever reached here. Blindness leaves the elderly so helpless that they are even unable to care for themselves and lead normal lives”. By supporting this fundraiser, you can help Nanritam on their mission to save 15,000 elders from going blind. To support Nanritam, you can donate here. 

Neonates Foundation

The lack of money should never be the reason that newborn infants lose their lives. But for many poor families, this is exactly what happens. It is estimated that the cost of treatment for an infant in the neonatal ICU is between ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000. This is unaffordable for many families and the result is that their babies, who should be receiving treatment and recovering, end up dying. Neonates Foundation is one of the health NGOs in India that delivers life-saving medical care to newborn babies and ensures that their families receive the financial and emotional support required as their babies receive quality care in the neonatal ICU.

“A mother losing her child is like an irreplaceable void in somebody’s life. It’s a very distressing experience which is something no woman and no mother should ever be forced to suffer,” shares Dr. Chethana of Neonates Foundation. The NGO works to make sure that no baby dies as a result of a lack of finances. Neonates Foundation’s fundraiser aims to save the lives of 80 babies who are currently in critical care and need specialized medical treatment to survive. To support Neonates Foundation, you can donate here. 

Nargis Dutt Foundation

The cost of cancer care and treatment is often more money than most people from impoverished communities can afford. For those unable to afford the cost of expensive treatments such as chemotherapy, cancer patients’ suffering is extended and their lives are cut short. Nargis Dutt Foundation is one of the health NGOs that removes this barrier and provides financial assistance for families whose loved ones are suffering with cancer but are unable to pay for its treatment. The care provided by Nargis Dutt Foundation also includes nutritional support, in depth counseling and accommodation for families of cancer patients.

“I know what it feels like to lose a loved one to cancer and I am not alone in my grief. I was just 13 when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. When I saw my mother struggling for her life, it left a lifelong impact on me. Her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she was almost unrecognizable,” shares Priya Dutt who heads the NGO fighting to save 500 cancer patients unable to afford treatment. To support Nargis Dutt Foundation, you can donate here.

Pinkishe Foundation

While menstruation is a natural process of the human body, many girls and women have no access to menstrual products. Unable to afford period products such as sanitary pads, household objects and materials are used that are unhealthy and cause health problems. Pinkishe Foundation is one of the health NGOs in India that aims to make sure that girls and women have access to safe and healthy menstrual products and are not forced to use objects that harm their bodies. For 5,000 girls and women from poor communities, Pinkishe Foundation aims to support them each month with sanitary napkins to improve their health.

“In villages and tribal areas, girls cannot afford sanitary pads and are forced to use materials like dirty cloth, ash, hay, old newspapers or even cow-dung cakes to manage their period blood. Because of this, girls suffer illnesses such as rashes and urinary tract infections and these illnesses at times turn deadly, shares Khyati Gupta of Pinkishe Foundation which aims to ensure that no girl or woman is deprived of sanitary pads due to poverty. To support Pinkishe, you can donate here.

Mahan Trust

In the forested Melghat area of Maharashtra, tribal populations have no access to hospitals or healthcare and this impacts their health in negative ways. Since there are no doctors in this area, the people are forced to rely on traditional healers and medicine men for their health problems. Mahan Trust is one of the health NGOs that provides life-saving medical care to tribal communities in remote areas and makes sure that people do not suffer from preventable illnesses. Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita are the founder of Mahan Trust, which started out as a hut and has now grown into a hospital that serves people who would otherwise have no medical care.

“In this area, the nearest critical care facility is over 100 kilometers away. The tribal villagers cannot even afford two proper meals, let alone traveling far to pay for medical treatment. I can say with confidence that had our hospital not been there, countless people would have lost their lives to treatable diseases,” says Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita. Mahan Trust aims to provide critical care to tribals who have no access to medical facilities. To support Mahan Trust, you can donate here.

Support these 5 health NGOs on Give.do

This World Health Day, you can help marginalized people across India get access to life-saving medical care by making a charitable donation to the 5 health NGOs on Give.do!

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