Safe House

At the ‘reception’,besides an array of holy pictures with representation for all prominent faiths in the world,C J Rajan is busy answering calls from people enquiring about accommodation. “When we started off,very few people came,” he says. “Now,we never have a bed free. But there is a basement that can accommodate people on beds and mattresses,when there are no rooms available.”

Rajan has been associated with Manav Ashray,set up by HELP Trust,since its inception. The 32-room facility can accommodate 150-160 people a day who usually come to know its services through brochures left at hospitals.

The centre charges Rs 300 per day for accommodation in a double bedroom (Rs 450 for rooms with a bathroom attached) and Rs 100 per head for accommodation in the dormitory. Cancer patients are given a three per cent concession in charges. For patients who can’t afford to pay for accommodation,like those whom the centre recently took in after they were found living in lavatories at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after their plight was exposed by newspapers,accommodation is provided free.

Sudhadevi from Bareilly,UP,has been staying at Manav Ashray for over two months with her nephew. She is undergoing dialysis at a city hospital even as she waits for kidney donors. Having spent nearly Rs 12 lakh on treatment alone so far,the accommodation facility at Manav Ashray has been godsend for her. “Everyone’s been so nice,it’s like home,” she says.

Sarojini,a middle-aged woman from Orissa,has accompanied her husband,who was brought to Dharamshila hospital for treatment of throat cancer Although Sarojini speaks only Oriya, staff members said they got on fairly well. “Lots of people who come don’t speak Hindi,but we manage. Many come from Orissa,from where most our staff also come from who translate for us,” says Rajan.

At the kitchenette in Manva Ashray’s canteen,Seema,a young Nepali woman is buzzing about preparing a cauliflower curry to go with her ailing husband’s lunch. The centre has provided a stove and other facilities for patients’ attendants in case they want to cook something particular for their family members or friends as they recuperate. A board inside displays the day’s menus–one for patients,(with soup,‘lauki’,‘karela’ and fruit,among others) and another (with chutney and ‘chana’ included) for their attendants.

Among those who have sought accommodation at the centre are many patients from outside India. Like Nisar Ahmed of Kabul,who said he comes to Delhi every year for his father Noor Ahmed’s heart checkups,and always stayed at Maanav Ashray. Patients also come from African nations,mainly Kenya,said the staff.

Those who stay at the facility are also provided a pick up and drop facility to the hospitals where they are seeking treatment at rates ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 25 per head.

Sanjeev Shankar,a Supreme Court lawyer who founded Manav Ashray,says the centre,which accepts no donations and is completely self-reliant,was set up to provide a safe place to stay for patients and their attendants,especially women.

“I have applied for permission to expand the capacity of Manav Ashray,and there are plans to set up a similar centre in other cities like Mumbai,” he says.