UTTAM GADEKAR

Uttam Gadekar is a 74 year old man who lives in Tandulwadi (Rahuri District), about 35 km (~22 miles) north of Meher Free Dispensary. He has two sons and 2 daughters. His children are married and have their own children.
Uttam has difficulty breathing (asthma). He went to many doctors in Rahuri but didn’t benefit from their treatment even though the medicines were very expensive for him. He couldn’t do any work because of his breathless state. His wife did all the physical labor and cooked for him.

His sons do not support him or help out with his treatments. He is poor and doesn’t have his own land. The Grampanchayat (the “village council” which is the cornerstone of local government in India) has given him and his wife a small room to live in.

One day a relative came to his house and told Uttam about Meher Free Dispensary—how they treat patients and give them the needed medicines for free. He decided to make the journey to MFD and started being treated there. Within 2 month his asthma had improved 80%.

Now, even during the monsoon (rainy) season and in the scorching summer months, he does not get breathless because of MFD’s treatment. Uttam has been coming to Meher Free Dispensary since 2009 and is very happy that he is being treated properly and given his medicines without charge.