Calcutta Rescue is a charity based in

Kolkata Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...

, India, founded by

Jack Preger Jack Preger (born 25 July 1930, in Manchester, England) is a British doctor who has been offering medical treatment as well as vocational training to the poor in the Indian city of Kolkata and in other parts of West Bengal since 1972. He establi ...

and registered under the West Bengal societies act. It runs medical, educational and support services to disadvantaged people in

West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fourt ...

. It also imparts vocational training to ex-patients and underprivileged people.

Healthcare

Calcutta Rescue provides completely free healthcare and health education to thousands of poorest individuals in Kolkata and around West Bengal who are suffering from a wide range of conditions and would not otherwise be able to access treatment elsewhere. Calcutta Rescue has 4 clinics. Tala Park Clinic Tala Park is Calcutta Rescue’s largest clinic and the heart and soul of its medical operations. Most of the patients who visit have chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes or require expensive drug therapy for cancer, cardiac disease and HIV.The clinic also provides physiotherapy, speech therapy, counselling and support for children with disabilities along with the family.Every patient also attends a health education session covering wide range of topics each time they visit. Nimtala Clinic Nimtala clinic is the clinic for wounded patients. Most patients with large non-healing wounds, gangrenes and abrasions come to this clinic. It has a separate wound dressing room facility for these patients. The clinic is situated in an area of great poverty, adjacent to a railway track with a slum. Most of the patients are destitute or live in tiny shacks along the adjacent railway line. Chitpur Clinic Known as the Leprosy Clinic of Calcutta Rescue. It treats a wide range of conditions and also provides physiotherapy. In addition to free treatment for a range of diseases including

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...

leprosy Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria ''Mycobacterium leprae'' or ''Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve damag ...

and

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

, treatment is also provided for

thalassaemia Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders characterized by decreased hemoglobin production. Symptoms depend on the type and can vary from none to severe. Often there is mild to severe anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin). Anemia can result ...

and

malnutrition Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is "a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients" which adversely affects the body's tissues a ...

by a wide range of professional volunteers. It also manages a clinic for people marginalised by

HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ...

and has established relationships with the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and th
Medical College Hospital
for referrals including counselling,

diagnosis Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine " cause and effect". In systems engin ...

, treatment and institution-based care.The charity also runs targeted initiatives to deal with medical conditions which are often present in

slum A slum is a highly populated urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. The infrastructure in slums is often deteriorated or incomplete, and they are primarily inh ...

communities including treatment for

scabies Scabies (; also sometimes known as the seven-year itch) is a contagious skin infestation by the mite ''Sarcoptes scabiei''. The most common symptoms are severe itchiness and a pimple-like rash. Occasionally, tiny burrows may appear on the skin ...

worms Worms may refer to: *Worm, an invertebrate animal with a tube-like body and no limbs Places *Worms, Germany, a city **Worms (electoral district) *Worms, Nebraska, U.S. *Worms im Veltlintal, the German name for Bormio, Italy Arts and entertainme ...

lice Louse ( : lice) is the common name for any member of the clade Phthiraptera, which contains nearly 5,000 species of wingless parasitic insects. Phthiraptera has variously been recognized as an order, infraorder, or a parvorder, as a result o ...

infestation and

Vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) or hypovitaminosis A is a lack of vitamin A in blood and tissues. It is common in poorer countries, especially among children and women of reproductive age, but is rarely seen in more developed countries. Nyctalopia (ni ...

Education

Aimed at slum and street children, the charity runs two education centres and one computer school for nearly 650 children covering basic

literacy Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, huma ...

and

numeracy Numeracy is the ability to understand, reason with, and to apply simple numerical concepts. The charity National Numeracy states: "Numeracy means understanding how mathematics is used in the real world and being able to apply it to make the bes ...

and provides free meals and health screening services. It also supports children going through formal schooling by funding attendance fees, school uniforms and travel allowances. Calcutta Rescue not only provides academic training but also emphasizes on extracurricular activities. Basic computer education is mandatory. Singing, dancing, acting, creative arts are highly valued and students are encouraged to pursue them. Sports is highly regarded. Students take part in various sports championships. Also, every student is provided with mental health care and sex education by Calcutta Rescue mental health counsellor and social worker. Additionally, they are also provided with vocational training until they are independent on their own.

Street Medicine

Two street medicine ambulances roam around the slums of Kolkata, Howrah and also remote villages of far districts providing healthcare, immunisation, mother and child health treatment to the slum dwellers who are not able to visit the clinics.

Handicrafts

A fair trade accredited handicrafts unit provides employment to former patients without any employment, drop-out students, domestic abuse survivors.

Volunteers

Clinical and non-clinical volunteers from India and abroad share their skills and assist in skill development of the local staff. Calcutta Rescue has established supporter groups in The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Norway, France, Canada and the United States.

References

Calcutta Rescue Official Website

External links

Calcutta Rescue UK
*
Calcutta Rescue (Kolkata)

Calcutta Rescue USA Support GroupCalcutta Rescue Dutch Support GroupCalcutta Rescue German Support GroupCalcutta Rescue Swiss Support GroupCalcutta Rescue Canadian Support GroupCalcutta Rescue French Support GroupIllustrated description of activities in Kolkata
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Charities based in Hampshire India-focused charities Education in Kolkata 1980 establishments in West Bengal Foreign charities operating in India