Developing countries: bringing relief to the streets.

Abstract

The Calcutta Rescue Mission in India has engaged since its inception in 1980 in expanding activities to improve the health of the poor. The first effort was one man British doctor Jack Preger who sat on the pavement to deliver medical care to the indigent. Along the river in Calcutta in Nimtolla Ghat a broad awning is set up with a team of doctors and nurses who treat medical problems from the 300-500 people who wait for care. No one is turned away. Another similar clinic has been set up in Middleton Row in the heart of Calcutta where 12000 patients are treated every month. Within the past year Calcutta Rescue Mission has defined future mission consolidated and strengthened service increased local staff involvement and expanded teaching. Each clinic has 7 doctors. Among the new programs is one directed to family planning for men which provides information on methods. The men are encouraged to provide support when wives desire a small family size. Another project is directed to selected women from villages who are trained in health improvement and disease prevention and are expected to share their new knowledge upon return to their villages. A spinning and weaving provides training for 5 students who will on completion of the course be ready to be self-employed making sarees or lunchis or bandages which will be purchased by the Mission. The school provides a curriculum which includes health and hygiene music and drama literacy elementary math and life skills for 350 students in 4 shifts. Children are provided transportation both to and from school. There are 11 teachers and 1 local pediatrician who supervises 4 medical staff. Nutritious meals are provided and medical screening and treatment e.g. 10% were found to have tuberculosis. A special care program was able to treat 275 babies of whom 25 needed hospitalization. 2 teenaged required very expensive hospital care: in one case 2 heart valve replacements and in the other surgery for Fallots tetralogy. The program continues to need nurses willing to make a commitment for a 6-month stay.