In 2015, after suffering from a bout of Dengue and constant high fever, doctors identified an unexpected cause behind his prolonged complications. Harjinder Singh's (45), from Bathinda, blood sugars were dangerously high, around 300 mg/dl. He was constantly tired and wasn’t proactive at work.

That’s when he was diagnosed with diabetes with the doctor prescribing him with medication starting at Metformin 200 mg. However, tests were expensive and going for regular checkup required traveling 10-12 kms to to the centre. Money was tight and only to travel to get tested was like a burden for him. Things worked in his favor when Ambuja Foundation began to organize health camps at the health centre in his village.

Community members received awareness, were screened for hypertension and diabetes, provided with sugar strips for testing and consultation. His wife who visited the camp was educated with IEC materials and educational charts on the ill effects between high sugar, poor diet and overall poor-quality lifestyle. Through the health initiative, there were community health workers who visited the village every week for consultation and camps were organized regularly. Patients like Harjinder received consultation on diet, physical exercise, lifestyle modifications and government provided medicines at subsidized rate from the community health officers.

All in all, Harjinder saw a difference in his health, his sugar levels dropped to 80-90 mg/dl and even his dependency on tablets gradually reduced. He now visits the health centre regularly for treatment and a local health worker ensures a frequent visit to monitor sugar levels.

He says, “Due to the intervention I am more conscious about my health and feel much better”.