Restoration Respiration

Bearing Witness

Driving through the neighboring villages of Bhavnagar or walking along their bustling streets, it's hard to miss the plumes of smoke rising outside cloth and tin roofs. Concerned, Neil spoke with his family in Bhavnagar about the community’s pressing issues, learning that respiratory illnesses were a major burden on the community.

Research

Extensive research conducted in collaboration with primary health centers in the surrounding villages confirmed what Neil’s family had revealed. Respiratory illnesses, particularly pneumonia and asthma, were alarmingly prevalent and a leading cause of morbidity. These diseases were manageable, but the research showed that primary health centers did not have adequate resources to manage or treat the magnitude of respiratory illness in the villages.

Supporting Primary Health Centers

To tackle the challenge head-on, we prioritized surveying primary health centers and understanding their needs. We have since collaborated with 33 primary health centers in the surrounding villages of Bhavnagar, creating a database to track their supplies and providing them with essential respiratory health resources, such as nebulizers and respules.

An Expanding Vision

While our project has made remarkable strides in addressing respiratory health, our commitment to the well-being of Bhavnagar doesn't end here. We are dedicated to expanding our reach and venturing into new avenues of healthcare. Malnutrition and mental health, areas of growing concern in India, will be key points of focus for our future endeavors.