The village factor

My father has a buaji who is about 72 years old. Indeed Very old even though very energetic and full of life. She got separated from her husband at a very young age, since then she is making her life on her own all alone. She comes to visit us rarely. In a small village of Aligarh she stays, with a house and farm land. She has never been hospitalized or got ill very severely till now, then one day she had a severe stomach ache. Panicked and confused after the doctorial report called up my father crying like a small baby. “beta mujhe pata nai ab mai kab tak rahungi mere gall bladder mai stones hai”. Papa was shocked and told her need not worry they are just stones which can be operated and removed from gall bladder. He somehow consoled dadiji. A few days later he took him to our house with the confirmation that you will get well just relax. Your son is there to take care of you in best possible ways.

From the very next day she underwent a number of tests, later on we came to relies she is even patient of sugar, not worst but controlled sugar level. On knowing bua dadi’s age doctors found it a risk to operate her at this age. As the stones were in gall bladder operation was the only way. They said well we can operate her but it’s a risk cant say if she will be alive or not! She feared the word operation, like any other person would. Gosh isse suntae hi dadi was like beta meri zameen ka vasiyaat nama kar leta, mere chale jane ka baad to kuch nai ho pyega. Papa was like with his eyes popped out buaji relax have faith you will be with us even after operation. Every time till the date of operation was not given bua dadi was like “I have given this person this much money, another one that much amount….and so on…. Mere marnae k baad yaha yaha iss iss jagah sab ghar mai dhund lena.” Every body consoled her not to worry if you think positive it help you recover soon.

I can understand the background from she comes, where the names of many dieses and their cures are still not known by the masses. Times I laughed at these statements but even regretted and felt sad on imaging the scenarios in the villages. Medical check ups are negligence and government swastha Kendra only give medicines of pain and fever. In most of the cases they are not even hold a medical doctorate degree. In the cities I can see people who suffer from almost incurable dieses just because they are aware they do not panic. They have faith in medical sciences.

I was wondering if this panic and hopelessness was a result of medical unawareness, emotions or the age factor. What it was? May be if she is not aware could be responsible some where for it. Do people coming from the remote and underdeveloped areas do still not know about the rest of the world.

she is been operated and hopefully she is doing well ..!