Aryan, a child aged 2 years and 11 months, living in a small village in Gram Panchayat Som, Block Sandila (Hardoi district), Uttar Pradesh, was found to be severely malnourished during a screening organized under Sampushti’s  Malnutrition-Free Gram Panchayat program, a program that focuses on children from 6 months to 5 years. Aryan's father is a daily wage laborer while his mother is a homemaker. Due to the family's poor financial condition, Aryan could not receive timely treatment, and his health kept deteriorating.

 

When Aryan's condition became critical, he was admitted to a 14-day nutritional rehabilitation camp by the Sampushti team. Unfortunately, his weight continued to decrease even during the camp, and his condition deteriorated further. His situation became so dire that his parents also lost hope. 

 

Additionally, due to a lack of education, Aryan’s parents chose not to seek medical treatment. On one hand, they were financially constrained, and on the other, superstitions led them to believe that domestic prayers would heal their child. 

 

At this critical time, the Sampushti team spoke with the family and explained to them that the child could be saved with the right treatment. The Sampushti team then admitted Aryan to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center in Hardoi, where doctors, seeing his condition, immediately referred him to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Aryan was admitted to the PICU at the District Hospital Hardoi, but even there, after two days, doctors referred him to King George's Medical University, Lucknow. However, due to financial constraints and fear, his parents were unwilling to take him to Lucknow. The situation was extremely sensitive at that time.

 

But the Sampushti saathis didn’t give up.They continued to counsel the family patiently, explaining that Aryan’s recovery depended on nutritious food, proper hygiene, and medical care. Despite initial resistance, especially the family’s refusal to take Aryan out for treatment, the Sampushti team, with support from the RBSK team, intensified their efforts. After several rounds of counseling, the family finally agreed, on one condition: they wouldn’t have to spend even a single rupee.

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What followed was a turning point. Aryan not only began receiving proper treatment, but the family also received some financial support to ease their burden.

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Today, after weeks of care, commitment, and follow-up, Aryan’s health is improving. He is slowly returning to a normal, healthy life.