COVID – 19 stories now and then – Sujata

Now onwards we will publish some COVID-19 stories which began during the pandemic and now moving towards a happy ending. The story of Sujata (name changed) is the first story of this series.

Everyone loves the happy ending of the story therefore; each one from the story plays a crucial role in achieving this. Mumbai Smiles feels proud to share some of the great stories which have happy endings. Though, recently we had to go through some sad incidents of our beneficiaries, we kept moving without giving up.

Butterfly session, conducted before the pandemic in our Mental Health centre, Kamathipura

Sujata is one of the victims of human trafficking who was also an active participant of our Butterfly project which we were conducting in the Kamathipura red light area. When we started working for Sujata’s case she was already suffering from chest pain for a few days.

During COVID-19 lockdown Sujata’s health was deteriorating. All the medical frontline workers were busy attending COVID patients which worsened her problem further. However, our health and Butterfly team was in contact with all our project participants and supporting them through telephonic calls during the lockdown. We immediately started looking for different ways out to get some treatment for her. We contacted nearby public hospitals where we could diagnose her problem.

After conducting multiple medical tests Sujata was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB). She was getting more and more restless due to the increasing lockdown restrictions. With the help of the Mumbai Smiles team we managed to put her on TB treatment. For 6 months she was following prescribed medications and responded well to the treatment. However, her testing time was not over yet. Doctors suggested an emergency surgery.

Sujata was fighting against her illness with great courage and we as a team were with her by staying in regular contact through her treatment. Our prayers were answered after the months of sincere efforts. The operation went successful and Sujata got out of danger.

Now, Sujata has got her normal life back. Her story proves that positivity and efforts always wins!