Location: Polampalli Village DPO, Gowribidanur Taluk,

13 PWDs are members of Polampalli DPO

Background

In a proactive effort to address the health concerns of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the general public, Polampalli DPO in Gowribidanur Taluk organized a meeting. During this gathering, community leaders were invited to discuss prevalent health issues. The focus was on ailments commonly affecting the elderly population, such as hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, as well as concerns regarding dengue fever and viral infections. The absence of a nearby government hospital compounded the problem, with transportation proving to be a significant hurdle for many residents.

Intervention:

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the DPO collaborated with community leaders to compose a petition addressed to the District Health Officer (DHO). Prompt action ensured as the DHO responded swiftly by dispatching a Primary Health Centre (PHC) team to conduct medical examinations and distribute essential medications directly within the village. This initiative marked the beginning of a recurring health camp, conducted monthly.

Impact:

The health camp has yielded substantial benefits for the community, with over 45 individuals benefiting from medical consultations and the provision of necessary medications each month. Moreover, these camps serve as platforms for raising health awareness among the public. What began as an initiative led by the DPO has now garnered support from community leaders. They actively assist the PHC team by providing refreshments and meals during the camps. Additionally, they have taken on the responsibility of facilitating referrals to the district hospital when necessary.

This concerted effort between the DPO, community leaders, and healthcare professionals underscores the power of collaborative action in addressing healthcare disparities and promoting well-being within underserved communities.

Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old speech and hearing-impaired woman, lives with her parents in Yelepi village. She was married and had a five-year-old daughter. Two years ago, her husband passed away due to severe health issues. After his death, she returned to her parents’ home a year ago. To support herself and her child, she started working as a daily wage labourer.

Incident Details

On the day of the incident, Nirbhaya’s daughter had gone to the Anganwadi Centre in the morning. When she returned home two hours later, she found her mother lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding profusely. She tried to wake her up but was unsuccessful. Crying, she ran back to the Anganwadi Centre and informed the teacher.

The teacher immediately rushed to Nirbhaya’s house and, seeing the excessive bleeding, called an ambulance. Nirbhaya was taken to the hospital, where doctors provided immediate medical care. She attempted to communicate what had happened using sign language and gestures, but the medical staff could not understand her initially. Eventually, the doctors realized that she had been raped by an unknown person. She was then referred to Mahila Santhwana Kendra, Chikkaballapur, for further support.

Intervention by our Team

ADD Team, along with sign language interpreter, visited Mahila Santhwana Kendra. With his help, Nirbhaya was able to communicate clearly. She revealed that her neighbor, Narayanappa, had raped her and then fled the house.

A rape case was immediately registered at the police station. The KVS team, along with the sign language interpreter, assisted in lodging the complaint. The following day, the police arrested the accused and took him into custody.

Recovery and Support

After a week of medical treatment and counseling, Nirbhaya was discharged and returned home. Local Disabled Persons Organization (DPO) members stood by her side and pursued the case with support from local para legal team. Presently Narayanappa is behind bars trying to get bail. Will he get bail or will justice prevail?, we have to wait and see….