Humanity first, is what Rathod Narayan, the male health assistant at Ankoli primary health centre in Adilabad rural mandal believes when it comes to taking care of patients. His belief and effort has stood out in the case of two Adivasi boys, 11 year old Tekam Santosh of Burki hamlet in the same mandal and Sedmaki Sri Sai of Utnoor mandal headquarters as his assistance ensured they stayed put in the hospital and get proper treatment for kidney ailments at NIMS hospital, Hyderabad.
Given their exigencies, the parents and relatives of Santosh, a Kolam Adivasi and Sri Sai, a Thotty, as attendant at NIMS have opted out but Mr. Narayan accompanied them as their attendant since the last nine days. Those who know of this, and there are a lot of Adivasis who do, are surprised at the health assistant’s devotion towards his duty and the boys as it comes at a time when the two tribes are at loggerheads over the status of Lambadas as Scheduled Tribes.
“It is my obligation towards human beings,” observed Mr. Narayan. “I was told by my superiors to accompany the patients and here I am fulfilling my obligation,” he asserted.
Ensuring treatment
The deputatation of the health assistant to accompany the aboriginal tribe youngster was like the final effort of the district administration as Santosh had run away from hospitals in Hyderabad twice in the last 30 days. He first discharged himself from Gandhi hospital after staying there for 15 days and later from NIMS itself after staying there for five days.
By nature, the Kolams love the freedom of the hills and forests surrounding their hamlets and feel claustrophobic in places milling with humans. The delay in performing operation had Santosh and his father Rama simply walk out of the hospital without informing the authorities.
Mr. Narayan was sent along with the patients by District Medical and Health Officer Rajiv Raju under orders from Collector D. Divya. Determined to get the Kolam boy complete the treatment at NIMS, she herself got him readmitted to the hospital.
‘Feel at home’
“I can speak Gondi which both the boys are conversant in. Despite Santosh missing his family and village atmosphere, I am cajoling him to stay until we get proper treatment,” the health assistant, who belongs to Gokunda in Bazarhatnoor mandal, revealed of his strategy to keep the patient in good humour.
“The district administration should recognise the effort and the devotion of Mr. Narayan towards his duty in the form of some reward,” opined Kathle Maruti, an Adivasi activist from Chinchughat village.
