Meet Shanthamma, a 68-year-old resident of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Hailing from a family, Shanthamma started her painful struggle with arthritis when she entered her 60s. Her husband, a welder by profession, worked in the nearby town of Chitradurga, leaving Shanthamma to stay with her son, who made a living through minor painting jobs, for which he could only earn meagre daily wages.

Not wanting to burden her family in any way, Shanthamma managed to get by with the meagre monthly pension that she received. However, a significant portion of this amount was being spent on arthritis medication, leaving little room for other needs.

One day, while visiting the temple near her home, Shanthamma noticed a parked van with a banner announcing free health check-ups. It was HelpAge India’s Mobile Healthcare Unit (MHU). Shanthamma shared her health concerns with the doctor, who after listening to her symptoms, provided her with new medicines and an ointment for her joints.

For the first time in a long while, Shanthamma felt hopeful. The weekly visits to the MHU became a routine, which brought a great source of joy and newfound independence to Shanthamma, who no longer had to spend her pension on medication. She now began to contribute the saved money towards her family’s needs. By removing this financial stress, the MHU was not only helping with her physical health, but also her emotional and mental well-being.

The pain in her joints has now significantly reduced, and she is able to walk with a renewed sense of freedom. Her transformation is a testament to the power of accessible healthcare, offering hope and relief to elders in need.

The compassionate Shanthamma has been telling all her elder friends, neighbours and relatives about this life-transforming journey – urging them all to come with her to the MHU to live a pain-free and carefree life!