Mr Balaram Sahu, a 65-year-old farmer from Biladhana village in the Basoda aspirational block of Vidisha district in Madhya Pradesh, had always been healthy. But one afternoon last year, a sudden weakness in his right arm and slurred speech changed everything — he had suffered a stroke. The doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi Civil Hospital Ganj Basoda referred him to District Hospital Vidisha, from where he was referred to Gandhi Medical College, a tertiary care hospital in the state capital of Bhopal. Mr Sahu was hospitalized and received free treatment for about two weeks, and then sent home to recover.
The stroke had led to paralysis, which made it difficult for him to walk without support. Being bed-ridden marked the beginning of an arduous journey for Mr Sahu towards recovery. He knew he needed continued medical consultations to monitor and control his blood pressure to reduce the risk of another stroke, but limited income and mobility made this difficult.
The staff at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) at the primary health centre came to his rescue and started providing free check-ups and blood pressure medicines. He also received counselling from the community health officer on living a healthier lifestyle and the importance of taking regular medicines for hypertension management.
/countries/india/a-who-ncds-team-accompanies-a-community-health-officer.jpg?sfvrsn=4b8125f7_3 "A WHO NCDs team accompanies a community health officer")
A WHO NCDs team accompanies a community health officer (extreme left) and ASHA (in purple sari) on a home visit to follow-up on Mr Sahu’s treatment for hypertension following a stroke. (Photo: Khushbu Sahu / © WHO India)
Following his return home, Mr Sahu walked to AAM every month for his follow-up. He was accompanied by family members at first, and then he went by himself as his health improved. Over time, he recovered and has begun farming again.
"When I suffered a stroke, I was not aware of my high blood pressure. I was in a coma for a week. Today, I can do my chores on my own, thanks to the free medicines being available close to my house. I receive guidance on how to manage my health and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist – a community health provider), conducts regular follow-ups. I now understand the importance of having my medications regularly," said Mr Sahu.
"Had it not been medicines and care from government health facilities, I might not be standing here with you today," Mr Sahu tells his neighbours and well-wishers when they visit him to inquire about his health.
During each visit to AAM, Mr Sahu didn’t just receive medicines—he received a second chance to live a healthy life. His story has inspired many in his village to take action to protect their health and well-being.
Mr Sahu’s is among countless beneficiaries who receive free treatment and medicines to control hypertension and other common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as part of comprehensive primary health care services provided at AAM.
WHO India is providing technical and on-ground support to the State NCD Cell, Government of Madhya Pradesh, for improving health services as part of the NCD continuum-of-care intervention. The support includes capacity building of health workers on hypertension and diabetes management, and provision of supportive supervision of the services being provided.