Today we had the pleasure of meeting the head of Americares India- All 19 of us crowded into a humid and humble office, merely a preview of what would develop as we traveled to the E Andheri slums.
Americares offers care to those in the slums of Mumbai via mobile medical vans. This is no small task in a city where half the population resides in slums. The three main objectives are distribution of medication, disaster preparedness training, and provision of on site medical care. Medications are donated by large pharmaceutical companies, then stored and distributed by the Americares non-profit. One of 3 mobile vans re-visits each site every 15 days, leaving a 15-day supply of medication for each individual diagnosed with a chronic illness. To keep track of the patient, vital statistics and a digital photo are taken at each visit. These steps aid in continuity of care-a vital component that often lacks in mobile clinic ventures.
While continuity of care is a substantial step in the right direction, much—MUCH more is needed.
Crowded, congested, chaotic—
The smell of the slums is putrid. Slum dwellers make their lives less than a quarter mile from a mountain of trash created by the entirety of Mumbai. The housing is congested and the homes themselves crafted from whatever material can be found to keep the rain out. There are no street names; there are no addresses. As a few of us walked further into the slums, Dr. Parrish pointed out the significance of lacking an address; almost a similar concept as lacking a name—it is as if these families are invisible to the rest of the world.
Children walk around barefoot; they play with rocks and dirt. There is no to little clean water. Few children attend school in a population where the rate of illiteracy is 50-80%.
Many NGOs exist in these areas to tackle such issues, but there is little communication about the help offered, in what manner it is offered, and where it can be accessed. NGOs are even unaware of each other’s activities in the SAME regions. Aid is needed, but it cannot be taken for granted that management and proper allotment of resources is JUST as necessary.
Tomorrow’s site visit; Aastha Parivaar—teaming up to deliver a women’s health service project.
An interesting and worrisome observation that there is lacks effective communication and awareness among medicare providers/NGOs serving the same area. It not only amounts to waste of resources but also time and space which is of essence in case of healthcare.
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