Save A Child

With the birth of 25 million children each year India accounts for nearly one fifth of the world’s annual child births. Every minute one of those babies dies. The major causes of death for children under-five years of age consists of infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, along with pre-mature birth, difficulty in breathing at birth (birth asphyxia) and birth defects (congenital malformations). Nearly 3.5 million babies in India are born too early, 1.7 million babies are born with birth defects, and one million new-borns are discharged each year from New-born ICUs (Source: UNICEF 2021). These children remain at high risk of death, stunting, and developmental delays.

Early identification coupled with access to treatment for these largely preventable common childhood diseases can save many young lives. However, there is a thin line between life and death which is very often dictated by the availability of resources. Dealing with life-threatening illnesses and medical situations in children is a harrowing and daunting experience for any parent. Out-of-pocket expenditure and the inability to pay for treatment add to their existing woes, thereby adding to their distress.

No child should be denied the right to health care, under any circumstance - this is the key mantra of Ekam. Our ‘Save A Child’ program ensures early identification of health problems and life-saving medical treatment for the marginalized children at the right time.

We have a dedicated 24*7 Helpline for referring children requiring medical support. We also screen children in the community to identify early warning signs of various diseases. This timely identification helps to initiate prompt treatment. We also liaison with Government facilities such as Medical Colleges, Hospitals, Early Intervention Centre for Children, Health Posts, Anganwadis to refer children requiring immediate medical support.

While ensuring access to health care; leveraging existing government resources is Ekam’s strategy. Thus, for the referrals received the focus is on effectively utilizing Government insurance schemes and services. Only shortfalls in these Government schemes, services are supplemented by Ekam.

Thereafter, direct medical support is provided to the identified children for treatment including drug support, hospitalization, surgery, expenses at the hospital. After the child is discharged, as part of our follow-up mechanism we do home-visits to track the child’s health progress, counsel the parents/caregivers on child care and support them in following the doctor’s advice.

Our team works round the clock to ensure that every child who is referred to us is treated in a caring and respectful environment. Since 2009, over 12,000 children have been treated and 1 million lives touched, covering 1,200 villages across 8 states of India, and involving 3,000 doctors and 3,000 hospitals. We have supported treatment of children with birth defects such as club foot, spinal deformity, cardiac issues, severe pneumonia, other infections, respiratory problems, diabetes from birth to list a few that required hospitalization, surgery, medication. Depending on the illness and the support requirement, Ekam has extended on-going medical support to the child.

We have been working very closely with the Government health systems, assessing and supplementing the gaps, providing direct medical support, finding funds to ensure timely availability of functioning medical equipment, lifesaving drugs, tests, medical professionals and logistics to facilitate accessible health care for the most vulnerable children.