Old people living in slums to get free medical care

Vadodara: Under-privileged senior citizens from the city won’t have to worry about their medical treatment soon.
Concerned over the neglect of the old persons staying in slum areas, a good Samaritan has taken up an initiative to ensure that they live a healthy life.

Minu Hirode, who runs Lagni Foundation, has already started gathering data of under-privileged senior citizens in need of medical care. “In our society, elderly people, especially from poor families, are not given much attention and medical help. They usually rely on their families to bear their medical costs. So, I thought of extending a helping hand to the needy ones,” Hirode told TOI.

“Under the initiative, the needy senior citizens will undergo medical tests free of cost. We will also bear the cost of their medicines,” she said and added that the project will take off in the next few weeks.

When asked about how she came up with the idea, Hirode said, “I used to visit two old-age homes and some slums to spend time with senior citizens. While talking to them, I realized how they yearn for our time and attention. Also, I learnt about the medical help they need. So, I thought of starting Circle of Care initiative.”

Hirode added that doctors from various specialty fields including surgeons, physicians, dentists, cardiologists, neurologists among others have pledged their services for free apart from services like consultations and medical tests including some expensive ones.

“My foundation will finance the cost of medicines too,” said Hirode who also works with Swarg Care and Kadji Care old age homes. “We give senior citizens in these old-age homes cakes, snacks and even free grooming sessions. I wish more people come and spend time with these people,” she said.