Safdarjung, Delhi: Disease is an inescapable reality of life. However, the process of combating or recovering from it must not be devoid of kindness and human dignity. A quiet stroll through the hospital corridors, outpatient departments (OPD), and waiting areas would expose the pain, complexity, and frustration inherent in the process of seeking public health treatment in India.

Health on Air visited the premises of one of Delhi’s best public hospitals, Safdarjung. With a little coaxing and a compassionate nudge, heartbreaking stories emerge of families pushed to the brink of financial ruin, imposing a temporary halt to their lives simply because one person fell ill – all while lacking a support system to navigate the intricate process of referrals and the challenges of caring for a sick loved one.

Tied to life with a thin line of vermillion 

One and a half months ago, Sonam, a 54-year-old resident of Shahdara, Delhi, underwent laparotomy surgery at RML Hospital in Delhi. The procedure involved the removal of her uterus, which contained six fibroids. This surgery, performed in November 2023, was captured in a poignant photo of Dinesh with Sonam, waiting for the ambulance to transport her back to RML Hospital.

Dinesh with his wife, Sonam waiting for the Ambulance to take her back to RML Hospital. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

High Risk consent letter. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

After the surgery, Sonam was prescribed medication. Due to her inability to eat for the past two months, she relied on nasogastric feeding. Following the recommendation of the RML Hospital doctor, she was scheduled for additional chemotherapy at Safdarjung Hospital. However, the doctor at Safdarjung Hospital determined that Sonam was unfit for chemotherapy, as the cancer had metastasized to her stomach and body. During our visit to the hospital, she was being transported back to RML Hospital in an ambulance for monitoring. The incision in her abdominal area was infected, unhealed, and experiencing significant bleeding.

Soman was kept on the bench inside Safdarjung Hospital’s OPD. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

Her husband Dinesh’s life now revolves around the commands of doctors. He has been by his wife Sonam’s side in the hospital every day, providing care 24/7 since the beginning.

“I have lost the will to live,” she murmurs in her feeble voice. Despite teetering on the precipice between life and death, she persists in adorning the parting of her hair with vermillion. In this fragile state, where each breath dangles precariously, she grapples with the loss of control over her body and its destiny.

A bed of cardboards for a mother

Bajo Devi’s makeshift home in Safdarjung premises. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

Bajo Devi travelled all the way from Bihar to seek treatment for her 19-year old son Manish Kumar, who was diagnosed with TB at the age of 19. Alongside TB, he experienced severe stomach pain and constipation, unable to pass gas,  intensifying the pain. Their journey started in Chandigarh where, despite a year of treatment, there were no significant improvements.

The doctors there only provided short-term relief through injections. Determined to find a lasting solution, Bajo Devi brought her son to one of the best hospitals in Faridabad. After a prolonged wait, Manish was finally admitted to Safdarjung and is now receiving quality treatment. However, the challenges for the mother persist. In the cold of Delhi, Bajo Devi sleeps outside the hospital, unable to afford a hotel. To make do, she brought all her blankets and fashioned a makeshift bed with cardboard. The struggle of a mother’s love and dedication continues amidst the harsh circumstances.

Duddho Devi and her husband Om Prakash waiting for the opening of the evening OPD to meet the Doctor for her report. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

Duddho Devi, a 60-year-old woman and the wife of Om Prakash from Palwal, Haryana, is bravely facing the challenges of cancer. Over the past 20 days, their lives have revolved around visits to the Oncology Department of Safdarjung Hospital. The journey from Palwal, Haryana, involves a 4-5 hour round-trip by bus, incurring a cost of Rs 500 for public transportation. Limited financial means have compelled them to seek treatment at a public hospital, as the expenses of a private facility are beyond their reach. Each hospital visit not only demands an entire day but also places a significant financial burden on the couple. There are instances when they endure nights outside Safdarjung Hospital in cold weather. In their sixties, the exhaustive travel from early morning to late evening has taken a toll on their bodies.

Duddho Devi’s Test Reports. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

Duddho Devi is diagnosed with Keratinized Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Buccal Canal (L), indicating cancer located in the left buccal canal. This diagnosis brings with it symptoms of fever, pain, and difficulty swallowing due to a lump in her throat. Since arriving at Safdarjung, she has undergone various tests, including blood tests, thyroid tests, sugar tests, immune profile assessments, and urine tests. Despite these challenges, they await the day when Duddho Devi will be admitted to the hospital for tumor surgery.

There are instances when they spend nights outside Safdarjung Hospital in cold weather. Being in their sixties, both she and her husband feel exhausted, and the entire day of travel from early morning to late evening has taken a toll on their bodies.

Tehsildar (28), husband to Shilpi (25) and father of 3-year-old Naman, arrived at Safdarjung Hospital seeking medical aid for his wife and child. Shilpi’s persistent cold and cough led them to the emergency ward, but they were redirected to the Outpatient Department (OPD).

Tehsildar with his 3-year-old son, Naman. Photo: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoD

Patiently waiting since morning, the family is now poised to begin Shilpi’s treatment in the afternoon. Once completed, the next step involves navigating the healthcare system for Naman’s care. The challenges of waiting and maneuvering through the system encapsulate their journey, highlighting the lengths they go to ensure the well-being of their loved ones.

Falling ill and battling life-threatening diseases are events that strike without warning. When diagnosed with such conditions, one is compelled to navigate the challenging path of seeking the best healthcare our system can offer. But, is the process empathetic? Does it uphold human dignity and the inalienable right to a dignified life?

All Photos Credit: Kh. Manglembi Devi/HoA