"For me, missing one day's wage meant missing a meal. If I go for treatment, who will earn for us
today?" Abia (name changed) would often ask.
Abia, 50, lives with her elderly husband in a small room in Manjoor Basti and they have no one to
rely on. Every day, Abia works as a labourer, and the money she earns is often just enough to feed them that day.
But while she struggled to keep food on the table, her health was quietly deteriorating. She has diabetes and high blood pressure and needs regular treatment and medication. Yet the fear of losing a day's income kept her from seeking help.
When the DSS Kolkata team met Abia in February 2026 she promptly declined any help. The choice felt impossible. To eat that day or take care of her health.
“She is extremely scared to trust people. She is scared of her health and her husband’s health, yet she can’t do anything. We understand her pain.” said Susmita, Health Educator and Counsellor for DSS.
Recognizing her struggle, the team continued visiting her home, listening to her concerns, and providing emotional support. They discovered that alongside severe anxiety, Abia also had a deep fear of taking medicines.
"The team never forced me"; Abia recalls. "They kept encouraging me and helped me believe that getting treatment could make my life better".
Abia gradually began accessing DSS's free healthcare services.
Today, Abia's condition has improved significantly. She attends routine check-ups, takes her medicines consistently, and approaches her health with confidence and hope.
"Now I understand that looking after my health is also looking after my family." she says with a smile.
For the DSS team, Abia's journey is a reminder that healthcare is not only about medicine.
Sometimes, change begins when someone takes the time to listen, encourage, and walk beside a person until they are ready to take the next step themselves..