A man conquers cancer—now his hospital combines therapy with a sense of mission
Naik’s hospital has a cancer information and counselling centre set up by a farmers’ cooperative. The centre doesn’t merely dish out inspirational speeches, it tries to intervene before a patient knows he has cancer. Among other things, Naik sends trained hospital staff door to door calling upon people, especially women, to get themselves checked before it’s too late. They also organise awareness workshops where women are tested for breast and cervical cancers.
Cancer, Naik explains, is such a taboo that few would come to get themselves checked and fewer would reveal that they are sufferers. "This is why the initial response was low. But now, with our volunteers visiting the surrounding villages, people come for the tests," he says. Ever since the inception of the centre, some 400 people have attended the workshops and 200 women got themselves tested.
"We conduct pap smear tests for women free of cost to check cervical cancer every second and fourth Monday," says Naik. If more tests are required, volunteers take patients to Surat. "We bear certain costs, we help needy patients access treatment at subsidised rates or aid them financially. Recently, I came across a cancer-stricken poor tribal who cannot afford his treatment, which will cost over Rs 1.25 lakh. We bore some costs, but are now trying to mobilise money for his treatment," says Naik.
The primary ambit of the centre is cancer awareness. "Cancer is one disease which cannot be prevented. But if detected at the preliminary stages, we can postpone death for a long time and even keep the cancer in control, God willing, for a lifetime. This is why I insist that people attend our free check-up camps," he explains. And he has met with success several times. He cites the case of 53-year-old Bhanuben Naik from Kachholi village. "She had breast cancer at a very primary stage and was treated before it was too late. The important thing is that she came to us on her own, not through our camps. Awareness is spreading," he says.
Another dimension of the centre’s campaign is deaddiction camps for youngsters. "We impress upon them how tobacco can cause cancer and how crucial it is to quit," he says. Besides this, Naik is in the process of forming cancer patients’ associations which will meet twice a year to share their experiences and provide strength and succour to one another.
Amratlal Naik can be contacted at: Jai Kisan Hospital, Gandevi Taluka Samaj Kalyan Trust, C/o Gandevi Taluka Khedut Sahakari Sangh Ltd, P.B. No. 31, Gandevi—396 360. Navsari Dist. Tel: (02634) 264 322- 262 222-422; 262 291, (0)9825085428. Email: jaikishan_hospital@hotmail.com