Samavedana – Providing Hope, Help and a Healing hand

In last few decades, medical science has seen enormous advancement in terms of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation techniques. But unfortunately it has increased the overall cost of the medical facilities, making it unreachable to a majority of the population. Unlike other services, medical service can neither be substituted nor neglected when the need occurs. In developing countries, where many families find it difficult to get enough food for the day, how can they afford expenses of the medical treatment if their earning member needs an urgent operation or a costly treatment regimen? This question has haunted me for a very long time, since I got admission to the medical school. But recently, I came across an organization called Samavedana that not only provides hope to poor and needy patients, but in other way supports the existence of the entire family, as well.

Internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon Dr Charudatta Apte and his associated have been working hard for last six years to provide not just financial assistance to the poor and needy patients, but at times free medical treatment as well. The group that started with an aim of providing neurological treatment to the poor, has now expanded its activities to cardiology, hematology, pediatrics and ophthalmology, through a team of around 30 doctors and more than 2600 donors.

With a motto to ensure that non a single patient is left untreated due to the lack of financial resources, till date, Samavedana has provided help to almost 250 patients, providing medical facilities worth 12 million rupees. All with the help of donors and Sahyadri Hospital [that contributes around 3% cost per patient] administration. Doctors who work for the organization, treat patients completely free of charge, owing to their responsibility towards the society.

The organization works with complete transparency with the donors, where each donor, even if he makes a contribution of Rs 100, is given a detailed feedback on how and where his money has been utilized. The donor gets a report of the patient along with the case-history and details of the surgery, to ensure that the money has been spent in the right way. The donations get tax-exception under 80G. Being a trust having a Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act [FCRA] certificate, it is eligible for accepting donations from foreign sources as well.

Not only doctors, but few patients have also joined the movement, by becoming volunteers – that can help by spreading the message by word or mouth, or contacting prospective donors, and not the least, talking to patients with a soulful heart.

As it is aptly said, God realized that he can’t be present at every place to help the poor and the needy, and thus he sent his messengers – like Samavedana. Cheers to their work and hats off for their dedication!!

If you need any further information about the movement called ‘Samavedana’ you can reach them at www.samavedana.org or just dial +91-9673338052 [Priti Damle, the chief co-ordinator].