Michael is suffering from cerebral malaria, a potentially fatal disease.
Navigating treacherous terrain, an 11-year-old girl trekked eight kilometres with her younger brother hoisted on her shoulders to the nearest hospital from her village in Jharkhand's Godda district on Monday. Doctors say the girl Malti Tudu's brave effort have saved six-year-old Michael's life.
Michael is suffering from cerebral malaria, a potentially fatal disease. On Monday his condition deteriorated at the remote Chandna village in Godda's Sunder Pahari block.
Michael and Malti, orphaned a few years ago, live with their grandparents. Unable to afford any transport, Malti says she was left with no option but to walk many hours to the nearest government hospital, a primary healthcare centre, with her brother on her shoulders. From there a social worker brought them to the district hospital at Godda town.
"There is no doctor in the village and so I really had no other option. When I felt tired I used to sit and rest and then carry him again," says Malti. The terrain near her village is rocky and the effort to walk all those kilometers was an incredible one.
Dr CK Sahi, Civil Surgeon of Godda, in charge of medical facilities in the district, says, "The girl is very bright. She had no idea it was malaria but she had heard many people talk about it so she rushed the boy to hospital. We are treating the boy and he should be absolutely fine in some time."
Malti and Michael's parents too had succumbed to cerebral malaria many years ago. It's a disease that takes many lives in this area year after year.
In Jharkhand's already abysmal healthcare system with a severe crunch of doctors and hospitals, Godda is one of the lowest-ranked districts. Proper healthcare is a dream for many here, especially those who live in remote inaccessible areas, where rural hospitals are ill-equipped to treat serious illness. The brave act by this girl though, has ensured her brother will live.
To help Malti Tudu, please send cheques or demand drafts in the name of:
Borga Hembram
Account Number: 32924997542
State Bank of India
Chandna Branch
Godda District, Jharkhand
Additional details for online transactions:
Branch Code: 005344
IFSC Code: SBIN0005344
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