Today I got the morning off to go and sit in on a doctor's surgery in the Asha polyclinic. There were many young women there to discuss fertility issues. It is very important to most Indian couples to have children and to have a son if at all possible. I think there is quite a big social stigma associated with being childless.
We also saw a very worrying case of a young boy who had come to the doctor some time earlier and been given treatment for a nasty infection. We know he is usually quite a strong and feisty child but today he does not look strong, in fact, he walks in holding onto furniture for support. He is much weaker and more unwell. Blood tests show that he is severely anaemic, as well as problems. We can't tell exactly what is wrong without further tests and the doctor wants to admit him to hospital but we are told we can only do this if we are able to find blood for his immediately necessary transfusion. There is no national blood bank in India, each hospital has their own and you need to contribute some from donor if you are going to use any. As I left, the doctor was still trying to find a place to get some. I hope and pray that things worked out as he was getting very ill.
On a happier note, we have finished the painting early!! Thanks to- well everyone, really, for working so hard at it, and Dennis for organising us, but above all, a special mention to the master decorator and paintmeister extraordinaire of great patience, Radishan and also his two helpers. And here he is, pictured.
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