A painter by profession, 48-year-old Palaiyam, and his wife has a son and a daughter. But 10 years ago, their normal life took a turn when doctors told him that he had to undergo open-heart surgery. Post the surgery he was unable to work anymore. Even more, the continuous heavy medication that the doctors put him on threw him into partial paralysis, that even affected his mobility 5 years back.
His medical condition has almost turned him into a vegetable. He is left with terrible pain in his body most of the time.
Since then the family has lost all of their life savings on his medical treatment. Their children are married and struggle to take care of their own families, lest they can take care of their parents specially their ailing father. But they always fall short. Today Palaiyam's wife sells Idlis outside their house to pay the house rent and make their ends meet. She cannot take up another job as she cannot leave the house for more than a few hours for fear that Palaiyam's condition might deteriorate and he could need hospitalization. So she cannot leave his side for long.
Most often they are left with very little money in hand that they even skip travelling to the hospital or even buy medicines, despite the killing pain.
What makes Palaiyam's story pitiable is the medicines prescribed by the government hospital have to be bought outside because it is not available in the government pharmacies. A family not able to afford their food is expected to buy private pharma company medicines is a ridiculous yet pitiable reality.
When we learnt about Palaiyam's case, we introduced the concept of Generic Medicines to them, which brought down the medicine's cost up to 10 times, which helped Palaiyam cut cost to a great extent.
Palaiyam also receives another benefit from the Government since July 2018. He receives Rs.1,000 every month as disability benefit.
However, they need external monetary help for the family's daily survival. The combination of Palaiyam's medical condition along with the Covid situation has thrown this family's situation into one that is bleak and hopeless.
They eagerly await a few generous hands that will bring hope into their lives!
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