People in remote villages such as where we live, do not have their own transportation, and constantly struggle for day-to-day activities such as purchasing large items, sending children to schools or colleges, getting medical treatment, and meeting social responsibilities.  They have to depend on the very limited public transportation that is available.

A survey done by us found that patients spend 25% of the typical cost of treatment on transportation. Sometimes, this cost exceeds the cost of the actual treatment itself.  In 2003-2004, autopsies done in the area revealed that 35% of the people who died had not tried to avail themselves of any kind of treatment. The primary reason for this was the lack of access to transportation.

Not maintaining a public transport system based on the reasoning that it is not profitable, is failure of public policy.  Two young friends from AID-USA visited us; they saw the problems of transport, and helped us purchase a vehicle.  We have since been able to provide a means of transportation to the people of the especially remote Bamni cluster of villages, for their health needs. This new means of transportation is managed by a committee made up of the villagers themselves. The committee was started by creating a pool of savings. This pool was used to help pay the medical bills of people in emergency situations. Within a year, the committee created a music band which plays at marriages and other events.  The increased revenue allowed them to start a transportation service.  Some people underwent training as drivers, and the committee bought a vehicle.  Sick people in Ganiyari now have one more important means of transport to seek medical treatment.

Translated from the Hindi version written by Praful Chandel,
Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Ganiyari, Chhattisgarh
The mobile van from Bamni has already helped save lives.