Mahan Trust: a medical NGO and lifeline for Melghat’s tribal communities

IN the remote and forested region of Melghat in Maharashtra, the medical NGO Mahan Trust shares that the concept of conventional medical care, that we are used to, remains largely non-existent. Here, death and disease is common amongst the people and preventable illnesses leave thousands of tribal people living in the villages with no choice but to depend on faith healers and medicine men. The lack of access to proper medical facilities and the absence of any medical NGO has resulted in a negative impact on tribal health, with young villagers becoming ill and even losing their lives to minor infections that could have been easily treated with timely medical intervention.

The dire circumstances faced by the tribal communities in Melghat caught the attention of Dr. Ashish and his wife Dr. Kavita Satav, who are the founders of the medical NGO Mahan Trust. Moved by the unimaginable suffering they witnessed during their visit to the region, the couple made the courageous decision to leave behind their promising careers in medicine and relocate to Melghat to serve the people who are in such desperate need.

Lack of access to medical care in Melghat

“Just one visit to Melghat convinced me that I cannot let these people die, I cannot let these families be destroyed. The extent of their suffering was unimaginable,” shares Dr. Ashish, who established Mahan Trust Hospital in 1997 in a dilapidated hut. Dr. Ashish goes on to share that the geography of this area presents additional challenges, as the nearest critical care facility is over 100 kilometres away. For the tribal villagers, who can barely afford two proper meals a day, the idea of travelling such a distance and bearing the costs of expensive medical treatment is simply unthinkable.

Dr. Ashish shares the heartbreaking story of a mother of a newborn baby who told Dr. Ashish that she would let her child die as opposed to traveling to get treatment, because she would have to leave her other three healthy children behind with no one to provide for them. Under these circumstances, the medical NGO Mahan Trust is the only hope for lakhs of people in the area.

“I can say this with some confidence” shares Dr. Ashish, “that had our hospital not been there, countless people would have lost their lives to treatable diseases”. To support Mahan Trust, you can donate here.

The birth of the medical NGO

Recognizing the urgent need for accessible and affordable medical care, Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita Satav founded the Mahan Trust Hospital with a singular mission: a medical NGO to provide critical care to those who had nowhere else to turn. Despite limited resources and facing numerous obstacles, the selfless couple poured their heart and soul into building the hospital from scratch in a small hut.

“Under these circumstances, Mahan Trust is the only hope for lakhs of people. Treatable diseases would have taken the lives of countless people without the presence of the hospital,” asserts Dr. Ashish. Over the years, the unwavering dedication and selfless service of the medical NGO have been instrumental in saving the lives of thousands of marginalized tribal people who otherwise would have been left to suffer in silence.

The urgent need for life-saving equipment

Despite the remarkable progress made by the medical NGO, the journey of Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita has not been without its challenges. Today, Mahan Trust hospital has outgrown its humble beginnings and expanded to a larger building. However, the lack of essential medical equipment needed to treat critical patients remains a pressing issue. Dr. Ashish emphasizes the urgent need for funds to procure life-saving hospital equipment that can make a significant difference in the quality of care provided to patients. “Your contribution can enable us to get the life-saving equipment and save many more lives,” he pleads.

How you can help a medical NGO serving tribal populations

As the medical NGO Mahan Trust continues its mission to provide critical care to Melghat’s tribal communities, the support of generous donors and well-wishers becomes increasingly crucial. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact and help Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita continue their life-saving work. By donating to the fundraiser of the medical NGO, you are not just contributing to the purchase of medical equipment; you are investing in the future of thousands of marginalized people who rely on the hospital for their survival. Your support can help ensure that no mother has to make the heartbreaking choice of letting her child die due to lack of access to medical care.

Support Mahan Trust on Give.do

The compassionate story of the medical NGO Mahan Trust and its founders, Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita serves as a powerful reminder of the difference that can be made when compassion meets action. Despite facing numerous challenges and sacrificing everything for the welfare of Melghat’s tribal communities, the couple remains undeterred in their mission to provide critical care to those in need.

Now, more than ever, the medical NGO is in urgent need of funds to procure life-saving hospital equipment that can help save many more lives. Your contribution can make a world of difference and help Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita continues their life-saving work, ensuring that no one is left behind due to lack of access to medical care. Together, we can help turn the tide and bring hope and healing to the tribal communities of Melghat.

Donate Here

– 

Give’s mission is to “make giving bigger and better.” Give is the most trusted donation platform in India for fundraisers and crowdfunding campaigns. Through our technology solutions, we enable individuals and organisations to fundraise and donate to a cause, charity or NGO with trust and convenience. Give’s community of 2.7M+ individual donors and 300+ organisations supports 3,000+ verified nonprofits with 80G deduction and serves 15M+ people across India. Find a fundraiser today!