Here’s help at hand for destitutes in distress

Next time you see a person lying abandoned on Bangalore roads and in need of immediate medical assistance, help is just a phone call away.

The city has got a 24X7 toll-free helpline number 9739544444 to address the issue of medical facilities on abandoned people on the streets.

The toll-free number was launched on Tuesday by RVM Foundation, a non-government organisation (NGO) to provide free medical treatment to homeless people in the city.

The members of the NGO said that once their ambulance picks up the patient, he/she would be treated at the Humanitarian Hospital, a hospital run by the voluntary organisation.

“However, if our hospital cannot treat the patients, depending on the seriousness of their condition, then we would take them to a super-specialty hospital in the city,” said BTK Reddy, chief doctor, Humanitarian Hospital.
The helpline number was started by the voluntary organisation, after the city saw a large-scale rise in the population of ill and infirm destitutes.

According to a survey done by the New Ark Mission of India, another Bangalore-based NGO working to provide shelter for homeless, Bangalore has 30,000 homeless people on the streets on an average, on any day.

The dedicated ambulance service of the hospital consists of a 12-member team, including one doctor and three paramedics, helpers, nurses and a driver. The team visits various parts of the city to pick up destitute people from the streets.

“The actual treatment is done in our hospital. The ambulance has basic medical facilities like a stretcher, oxygen cylinder and first aid box. With the starting of the helpline number, we hope that Bangaloreans who come across a destitute on the streets, will be able to inform us,” said Madhumitha K, the doctor heading the ambulance team.

Members of the ambulance service team also visit destitute wards in various hospitals where patients generally lie unattended for days.

“They are treated at the organisation’s hospital and other network hospitals like Bowring and Victoria and then shifted to the transit home of our NGO,” said Reddy.

The NGO was started almost two decades ago with its transit home near Hennur. At present, more than 100 people are housed at the home. Six years back, the NGO opened the Humanitarian Hospital at Bannerghatta Road to treat the rescued people.

The NGO is working with 84 other organisations in the city for rehabilitation of destitutes. It has also set up Humanitarian Employment Network (HEMN) with the aim of providing employment opportunities to rescued people. HEMN imparts various vocational skills.

“Of course, there are some who are unable to or not fit to be employed. Such people are rehabilitated at our humanitarian homes. Others are employed as watchmen, gardeners, cleaners and assistants. HEMN is looking for volunteers to work for the cause of destitutes,” said an official.

“I spent 10 years on the streets of Bangalore. Today, I have a roof over my head. I don’t have to beg any more and I am also learning to make paper bags. Hopefully, I will be able to earn my livelihood soon. I owe it to HEMN for helping me get a new lease of life,” said Joseph.

Subhadra Kumari, 30, a beggar who was found lying unconscious on MG Road by the NGO almost a year ago, is happy that her life has completely changed now.

“I am learning sewing. I plan to open my tailoring shop soon,” smiled a confident Subhadra.