An elderly man, approximately 60 years old, was found near Lodhi Garden after being hit by a four-wheeler. He was admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre by the police identified only as ‘Unknown 215’. The situation was complicated by the fact that the patient was both deaf and dumb, unable to communicate vital details like his name or address. After initial investigations, IO could not trace any relatives or contacts who could take responsibility for him.
As his treatment progressed under the Neuro department at AIIMS, doctors recognized the need for rehabilitation. They reached out to the Medical Social Service Officer (MSSO), who in turn contacted SAPNA, an NGO that supports the homeless and vulnerable. SAPNA took and placed him in their Noida-based rehabilitation home, a facility for the homeless. To ensure his medical needs were met, SAPNA arranged for an ambulance to transport him regularly between Noida and the AIIMS Trauma Centre for his outpatient department (OPD) visits.
For weeks, the patient showed little sign of recollection, and the chances of finding his family or friends seemed bleak. However, one day, in a rare moment of clarity, he managed to write down the address of a small dhaba near Nizamuddin Dargah. Intrigued, a social worker from SAPNA visit the dhaba and show his photograph to the workers there.
To their surprise, the workers recognized him immediately. Unknown 215 had worked there as a helper for many years, though none of them had been able to contact him after his accident. They were overjoyed to hear that he was alive and requested that he be brought back to the dhaba.
SAPNA’s social worker returned to the dhaba with the patient. The reunion was a joyous occasion. The dhaba workers welcomed him back with open arms, grateful for SAPNA’s support in reuniting them with their missing friend.
This story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of community, and the power of social organizations like SAPNA that work tirelessly to restore dignity to the forgotten and vulnerable members of society. Through collaboration and persistence, Patient reunited with the people who cared for him.
NGO SAPNA’ was registered in Delhi under the Societies Registration Act on 21st October, 2004. It was founded by a group of professionals who shared a dream to work on a people-centric model of development in areas of health, education, gender, community development and social welfare. Inspired by Gandhian ideals of ‘Sewa’ i.e. selfless service, SAPNA’s mission is to work/act as an ‘agent of change’ to support and empower the poor and the marginalized.