Is embracing death @ 24 so easy?

This time it was neither KG Halli nor urban health project….but Health Inc…trying to find reasons for social exclusion in Bangalore Rural district.

When we entered 8×8 single room house, Jagadish was lying on the bed. We asked how he was feeling, he pushed bed sheet aside and showed his leg…yes it was badly infected & looked scary and his hospital discharge card said Cellulitis!  He said few days ago we went again to private medical college they refused to admit me, then we went to Government Hospital, doctor said nothing can be done..it is too late, so we came back home. I was speechless and ran out of words…just to listen from that  24yr old boy in a calm and composed voice, with no emotions saying I’m waiting for my death! I said to myself.. Is it so easy to accept death?

For a moment I forgot why we were in that house, started  making calls to friends and colleagues for help… one of the district surgeon assured to do his best. In the last 2 month, family which is mainly dependent on daily wage had borrowed Rs 40000 for his treatment, admitting him again means one or two family member loosing their  wage….where money lenders are already demanding repyment….can they really afford to give time to save Jagadish? After two days I get information that he is yet to reach hospital!!

It must be the frustration, helplessness and poverty forcing people accept things easily as their fate! Is it the fate which is preventing Jagadish from getting care or is our health system failed to provide care for people like Jagadish or access care? Who should be blamed for…is it the tertiary care center which did not consider worth treating him or is it so simple that we blame poverty for everything and record exclusion due to poverty??