OBI doctors and medical staff set up the camp in Gurzilla village, where they treated more than 300 people, including Santosh, above.

GURZILLA, India – With his son's life at stake, Sri Ram was willing to do whatever it took to find medical help.

Thanks to his friends and neighbors' pleas, the families' prayers were answered when Operation Blessing made the long, treacherous journey to their remote jungle village.

Gurzilla, which is home to about 300 families, is secluded and lacks basic facilities such as electricity, transportation, telephones and even a hospital. The only way in or out of the village is through rough terrain or narrow paths routed through the jungle.

When Sri Ram's 11-year-old son Santosh started running a high fever and was unable to attend school, he tried to nurse his son back to health. Two weeks later, his son's condition was growing worse, so he took Santosh to the closest hospital, 25 miles away.

Hopeful of a cure, Sri Ram used the money he made working as a wage laborer doing farming. But it took all the money he had.

However, Santosh got worse.

Diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia and fluid buildup in his left lung, Santosh was given free antibiotics and vitamins to bring him back to health.

Sri Ram wanted to take his son back to the doctor, but this time he couldn't afford the travel or the treatment and was forced to give up.

"He gave up his hope and just trusted in God," said Shirley Joyce, an OB India representative.

"It wasn't easy for a mobile medical van to reach the village because of the rough roads," Shirley added. "Nevertheless, it did arrive."

OBI doctors and medical staff set up the camp at the village, where they treated more than 300 people.

For Santosh, he finally got the help he needed.

Diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia and with fluid buildup in his left lung, he was given free antibiotics and vitamins to bring him back to health.

"Thank God, Operation Blessing could bring the X-ray machine to this remote village," one OBI representative said. "We could clearly diagnose Santosh's illness and give him the exact medicine he needed. Now he will recover very soon."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2012 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.