ASIA/INDIA - X-ray machine installed in Banughapar village dispensary

Thursday, 23 September 2004

Rome (Fides Service) - In a country whose advanced IT technology makes it a point of reference for many multinational companies and which has the best of space resources at its disposal, including the ability to launch satellites, which possesses one of the world’s most powerful nuclear centres, it is surprising to see that the installation of an X-ray machine installed in a village dispensary for the benefit of poor people can make the headlines.
The machine is the latest improvement at a dispensary run by a group of Sacred Heart Sisters. The dispensary, opened in 1953 is in the village of Banughapar, west Champaran district. The X-ray machine was blessed by Bishop Victor Henry Thakur of Bettiah diocese who said this was a major event for the local people and for the local Church which strives to serve all regardless of race or creed in this particularly poor area where access to modern treatment is very limited.
He recalled that in the region only a few towns can provide X-ray treatment, but in rural areas this is the first such machine. The diocese has a population of more than 15 million among whom only about 6,000 are Catholics and the Sisters at the dispensary are very busy. Every day about a hundred people come for assistance, some from far away villages.
The health situation in India is still precarious. Besides HIV/AIDS, typhoid and hepatitis A and E , intestinal diseases are also a widespread problem. Outbreaks of Meningitis have also been reported. Malaria is a threat all year round, all over the country at altitudes lower then 2000 mt above sea level. Diarrhoeic diseases transmitted with food and drink are also widely diffused. (AP) (23/9/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:22; Parole:288)


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