MAHAN – By Dr. Ashish & Dr. Kavita Satav, Melghat, Maharashtra


On April 17th 2016, SMM had the honor of hosting a noble doctor who has devoted his life for the underprivileged infants and children in Melghat tiger reserve area of Maharashtra, to share his life stories of working in a tribal region with the highest infant death rate due to undernourishment. 

Inspired by Baba Amte, Dr. Prakash Amte & Dr. Abhay Bang, Dr. Ashish, a MD, who could have had a comfortable life in any of the metros in India, chose to settle in a tribal belt of Maharashtra, Melghat, to serve the poor tribal population through medical care. Melghat is known to the outside world by two words, “Malnutrition” and “Project Tiger” (launched to protect the population of tigers in the area). This is the region where no doctor had started a hospital in the prior 20 years.

Dr. Satav’s initial years were full of struggle with no proper house, hospital or staff. He faced a tough time running his so called clinic from a small hut  of 20 ft by  x 50 ft. Slowly but steadily, his perseverance paid off. Today, the center has 2 OT’s, 2 ambulances, a staff quarter and a guest house. His journey is best understood when heard or experienced by visiting Melghat in person. How this young man made paramedics of village women and today they cater to the village’s need of a nurse. They have been trained to measure temperature, BP, check for malnutrition and dispense medication all under the vigilant care of Dr. Ashish. They are his first line of defense to fight the high infant mortality rate in the area.

For more information on Dr. Satav’s work you can visit Mahan’s page or read Dr. Ashish’s diary that he kept updated till 2014.

 

 

Two ways to make donations to MAHAN (Thru Arpan Foundation)

    1. Go to your company’s matching website for any donations and search for “Maharashtra Mandal Seattle”. In description, please mention “For MAHAN – Dr. Satav” under description/details. (Better option to double the pledge after company matching)
    2. Click below PayPal link.

(Disclaimer: 2.2% PayPal commission will be deducted from your donated amount)