Together against Tuberculosis in the slums, Mumbai

Dear Donors,
during the Christmas period, a monitoring trip took place thanks to the collaboration with Frame Project. This mission was an important opportunity to closely observe the activities carried out and to strengthen collaboration with our local partner, Lok Seva Sangam (LSS), whose work remains essential in supporting some of the most vulnerable families in Mumbai.

A central pillar of the project is the assistance provided to families affected by tuberculosis. Lok Seva Sangam ensures access to proper medical care and continuous follow-up for each patient. To support this work, there is a dedicated office, equipped with two operators, a computer and a printer, as well as a storage area for food supplies. Here, sacks of rice and single-portion food packages containing rice and lentils (daal) are prepared and distributed. Each family receives 12 food packages per month, ensuring a basic but vital nutritional support throughout the TB treatment period. For every patient, medical treatments and follow-up visits are carefully recorded in a personal register, allowing for precise monitoring of therapy adherence and health conditions.

During the visit, we also took part in the activities of the mobile clinic van managed by Lok Seva Sangam. This mobile unit reaches different neighborhoods of Mumbai and provides essential healthcare services directly within the communities. On the day of our visit, two doctors and a physiotherapist were present, examining patients and prescribing medications. Many people were waiting in line, highlighting the strong demand for accessible medical care in these areas. Currently, the mobile clinic operates once a week, as the limited availability of medical staff does not allow for more frequent visits. Despite this constraint, the service represents a crucial lifeline for people who would otherwise struggle to access healthcare facilities.

In addition to tuberculosis care, Lok Seva Sangam also manages dedicated spaces for the assistance of people affected by leprosy. These centers function as points of medical support, food distribution and social assistance. Here as well, food kits containing rice and daal are distributed and a detailed monitoring system tracks each individual requesting help. The majority of beneficiaries are people living with leprosy, often facing severe stigma and social exclusion. On the walls of these centers, educational posters in Hindi explain the main characteristics of the disease, diagnostic tools, and available treatments, contributing to awareness and early detection.

Through medical care, nutritional support and follow-up, the project in collaboration with Lok Seva Sangam continues to offer concrete help to families affected by tuberculosis and leprosy, improving their health conditions and dignity in extremely challenging contexts.
Your support makes this ongoing commitment possible and we thank you for standing with us and with those who need it most.