Better healthcare for a better tomorrow

The Tata Trusts Project Prayaas was set up to prevent and control the spread of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in the region. Over time, the team has built deep connections with the local community.

Mamta Raj Kumar, a resident of Khargawar village in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district, would have ended up as yet another sad statistic of India’s poor healthcare system but for the timely intervention by the Tata Trusts’ Prayaas team.

Mamta is representative of the countless men and women in rural India who face an uphill task to access healthcare facilities. Pregnant with her fifth child, Mamta was classified as a high risk of pregnancy.

She was not only severely underweight (32kg), but also suffered from low blood pressure and anaemia. On top of that, she had a history of miscarriage. She was advised to visit district hospital, however, family and financial considerations led her to ignore this.

Extending the net

When Mamta’s condition deteriorated, she was taken to a private hospital. During examination, it was found that the foetus was not developing as per the growth parameters and haemoglobin level had dipped to 9.3g/dl.

When she returned home, the cluster coordinator with the Prayaas project counselled Mamta about having proper diet and supplements, and lifestyle changes. Continuous monitoring and dietary and lifestyle changes led to significant change in her condition. By her final stage of pregnancy, the foetus showed signs of normal growth and HB level had increased.

Prayaas had to step in once again. In November 2021, Mamta suffered an electric shock which left her with severe burn injuries to her hand. She was rushed to the district hospital where the ultrasound check-up revealed that her baby was safe. Two days after the incident, Mamta delivered her baby .

However, the spread of infection forced Mamta to consult a private medical practitioner who suggested amputating the hand. Again, the Prayaas field worker counselled Mamta and her family to visit the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur.

Support and guidance

Socially and economically disadvantaged, travelling to Gorakhpur was a challenge for the family. The Prayaas team offered complete support in arranging logistics and support for the patient.

Mamta was examined by the plastic surgeon at the medical college and underwent a successful operation. A day after the surgery, Mamta had recovered well and was discharged from the hospital. She has been advised multiple surgeries for proper alignment of her fingers.

For Mamta and others like her in rural communities, it is the handholding and guidance of the Prayaas team that is making the difference between life and death. It was their timely support, guidance and counselling that enabled Mamta to navigate through a difficult high-risk pregnancy and a mishap which nearly cost her an arm.