Services to the sick and ailing forms a core of the Sangha’s operations. Spread over the country 46 branches and 300 sub-centres maintain hospitals and charitable dispensaries in urban and rural areas. Mobile medical dispensaries reach out to the remotest parts of the country. Health care and awareness programmes on leprosy eradication. TB control, malaria, filarial and diarrhea camps are regularly organized.
Cancer Care Unit, Mumbai
The Sangha setup a Cancer Care Unit that offers specialized consultation, a chemotherapy day-care centre and a home for cancer patients. The chemotherapy day-care centre provides specialized consultation for cancer patients under the supervision of eminent medical oncologists. Plans are underway to expand the existing capacity and infrastructure. The unit cared for 2000 patients last year and was unable to cope with the increased inflow of patients due accurate diagnosis is central to complete treatment and care. A Diagnostic Centre is therefore being conceptualized.
Seva Niketans
A large majority of people travel to Mumbai for cancer treatment and are often unable to cope with the financial and mental burden. BSS, Navi Mumbai setup the First Seva Niketan to help patients and their families by providing by providing free accommodation, free transportation to the hospital, subsidized canteen facilities, counseling and awareness programs, etc. Mumbai now has 3 Seva Niketans operating a total of 32 rooms and 8 dormitories and has assisted 6838 patients till date.
Tuberculosis Treatment
As part of our agenda to improve health care for the masses, T camps are organized offering free treatment and medicines with X-ray and sputum test facilities. Over 500 patients have been cured as a result of our initiatives.
Leprosy Control & Welfare Services
About 286000 cases of leprosy were detected globally in 2005. India is home to 70% of the world’s leprosy patients. The challenging task is not only the eradication of the afflicted into mainstream society. The Sangha first approached this public health problem in 1981. Work started in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand with Leprosy Welfare and Rehabilitation Programs covering a population of 1 million. The Sangha runs 4 referral leprosy hospitals for severe reaction and serious ulcer homes for old, infirm and destitute leprosy patients. A Leprosy Colony is also being planned.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation programs have been introduced to reduce the impact of disabilities on the social and economic life of leprosy-affected people. The programs enable them to undertake income-generating occupations to support themselves and their families. We also advocate awareness programs that disseminate accurate information about leprosy.
The Sangha has setup a Leprosy Rehabilitation Promotion Unit. This Unit, conceptualized on the guidelines laid down by the Government of India, carries out surgical operations correcting deformities caused by leprosy. Over 350 patients have been assisted and rehabilitated into society. These operations have been carried out free of cost by eminent surgeons. Vocational training programs are organized to encourage patients to be self-sufficient. The Sangha also assists in rebuilding old dilapidated leprosy colonies. Children of leprosy patients now have access to education. Schools uniforms, food, books and other facilities are provided free of cost.
Health Awareness Camps
Medical teams organize health awareness camps in BSS schools and educational institutions. A total of 6116 students have been examined so far and given treatment when necessary. Special clinics held over the past two years for the care of primitive tribal groups have benefited 3793 patients.
Sunderban: Mobile Heath Care Service of the Sangha has been performing medical activities among 26 remote villages of Sunderban for 17 years. Weekly 26 clinics are held regularly with the facilities of out-patients service, A/P Natal checkup, well baby clinic, free medicine, post medicinal & referred patients’ follow-up, pathology etc. alongwith specialist clinics on Pediatrics, Gynecology, Dental, Skin, ENT, Eye etc. Health Awareness camps are regularly held with audio-visual presentation. Ambulance service to the poor patients was provided during emergency. About 69339 patients benefitted last year. Andulia, Pranab Pally, Garaguri, Madhyamgram of North 24 Parganas, Hotar, Manmathapur, Uttar Durgapur of South 24 Parganas – 36113 patients were benefitted.
In Gangasagar Islands 15350 patients were treated at our Mahendraganj unit. Nearly 9865 patients were treated at our Lot 8 centre at Kakdwip. The H.O. of Sangha has a homeopathy dispensary which is open for all in 7 days a week, treated 6813 patients. The Sangha has provided homeo treatment service at Chhoto Mollakhali (4259 patients), Kalikapur (2836 patients) and Kumirmari (2798 patients) in Gosaba Block. The Sangha organized several eye camps (including operation facility) at Jabalpur, Varanasi, Bangalore, Agartala, Burdwan, Tarapith, Jatragachi, Sunderban etc. at free of cost. Eyes of 850 patients were successfully operated. Spectacles were given to 310 person at free of cost at Daria. The Sangha organizes regular medical camp alongwith specialist clinics on medicine, surgery, eye, skin, gynecology etc. at Krishnapur, Jatragachi, New Town, Bhangar, Lauhati, Daria etc. with free supply of medicine.
Cancer Patients’ Home: A large majority of people travel to Mumbai for cancer treatment and are often unable to cope with the financial and mental burden. Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Navi Mumbai setup the first Seva Niketan to help patients and their families by providing free accommodation, free transportation to the hospital, subsidized canteen facilities, counseling and awareness programs, etc. Mumbai now has 3 Seva Niketans operating a total of 20 rooms and 76 dormitory-arrangements and has assisted 9450 patients till date. It provides accommodation to 124 cancer patients & 142 attendants together. Bus service to Tata Memorial Institute and other counselling facilities are also available.
