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It was early December late afternoon. 40 years old Shanti (name changed) walks into the Digital Dispensary (operated by Glocal) accompanied by a couple of people, evidently her family members. She was completely unwell and one of her hand shivered abnormally. Her husband informed that she was ailing with an unbearable hand pain for few weeks even after consulting the local healthcare provider. One of her neighbour had informed her about Glocal Digital Dispensary and that it is great place where patients are getting treated properly. On the basis of the history, she was provisionally diagnosed to be suffering from cervical spondylitis. An X-ray of the cervical spine was advised and this confirmed the diagnosis of cervical spondylitis. This was pressing on the nerves and hence she was getting pain in the hand. Necessary medicines (Diclofenic sodium with paracetamol were given and explained on its usage. A week later she again appeared but looked almost fit. On enquiry, she informed that there has been gross improvement and was feeling much better. She also said that it was a great experience- “Yes, I am feeling much better than before and today I have come here for the follow-up”.

Shanti

Female/40Y

45 years old Jhuna (name changed) visited the Glocal Digital Dispensary with skin problem. She resides in a village, 1 km away from the centre and has been a regular visitor for all her healthcare needs. She is primarily a daily waged mine worker and a beneficiary of free rice from the Govt of Odisha. Her monthly income is around ₹.7,000 and somehow gets her ends met. When asked she said “Some months back I visited the PHC where I received some treatment but had to pay for the medicines and tests. During that visit I had seen and heard about this dispensary. A week later when I did not recover, I chose to visit this dispensary where I received the treatment (free doctor’s consultancy, tests and medicines) and within a few days recovered completely. From then all my family members and I come here whenever required” When asked about her experience during the current visit, she said “I had a oozing skin problem with some swelling. The nurse used a machine (Dermascope) and looked like that the doctor could see the area in the hand where I had the pain. I could not feel that any doctor was physically missing.” The doctor suspected dry skin with fungal infection and prescribed anti-fungal ointment for local application for 15 days. Follow –up visit was recommended after 15 days.

Jhuna

Female/45Y

45 years Sukuma (name changed) visited Glocal Digital Dispensary with a complain of back pain. She resides in a nearby village within a km away. A widow lives with her 2 sons, 2 daughters and parents. She alongwith her son are agricultural workers and she also sell ‘Handiya’-local liquor. She said “My daughter once was suffering from high fever and visited the PHC only to find that the doctor was on leave. The nurse suggested me to visit this dispensary. I was confused seeing that it did not have a doctor present but they made me speak to her through the machine. I got some medicines and they conducted some tests. My daughter recovered in a week. I was very impressed. From then I come to this place only. We are very poor and cannot afford to go to the district town for treatment. Also we don’t not always get busses to travel”. Further she goes on to say “This time I visited for a back pain and could not lie down or walk properly. The doctor in the machine (video conferencing) asked me many questions before they gave me a paper (prescription) and some medicine. The staffs are very good and the doctors are extremely caring. I am very happy to visit” It was suspected that there maybe some problem with the backbone and muscles. She was advised to sleep on hard mattress without a pillow and apply hot water compress on her back. She was prescribed pain relieving cream for external application alongwith mild pain killer (paracetamol) to be taken after meals only.

Sukuma

Female/45Y

An 11year old child -Raghu (named changed) was brought to the dispensary who had severe watery diarrhoea for the last 12 hours. The boy was also vomiting. The sister noticed that the child had sunken eyes, dry tongue, feeble pulse and low BP. The nursing staff could make out that the child was having severe dehydration. She started intravenous saline and when the vomiting stopped, the saline continued slowly and started giving Oral Rehydration Salt solution slowly. The eyes came up and the pulses and BP improved. After 6 hours of fluid therapy at the clinic she asked to go home with her happy parents. The boy was given single dose of Doxycycline. He felt hungry, sat up and was ready to go home. The parents were given several packets of ORS and was advised to dissolve one packet in one litre of drinking water and take sip by sip. Also was advised to take Khichri (mixture of rice and lentils). The parents seeing this dramatic improvement of the condition of the boy, repeatedly thanked the staff. The child’s mother also said that the local practitioner in their village possibly wouldn’t have been so effective. They also expressed their desire to bring some coconuts as gesture of their gratefulness. It was advised to bring the child after 7 days for a follow up.

Raghu

Male/11Y