Firdaus is an 18-year-old girl from Malaka village in Mewat district, Haryana. She has studied up to Class 5. Her father studied up to Class 10 and is drives a truck. His work keeps him away from the village a great deal, since he drives all over India.  When she was only two years old, Firdaus fell from the terrace of her home and injured her head. Subsequently, she could not use her right hand. Her parents took her to a private hospital in Bhiwadi – about 18 kilometres from her village – and then stopped taking her there for treatment.

Recently Firdaus had severe itching all over her body and her parents brought her to the BUDS Mobile Health Van. Dr. Rajeev Seth, Managing Trustee of BUDS and a well-known pediatrician diagnosed the child as having scabies – a very common health issue in Mewat and gave her an ointment and medicines. Noticing her limp and useless right hand, he referred them to the government hospital at Nalhar. Varsha, the BUDS counselor has been following up with the family, but they are very scared about moving out of their village during the COVID-19 pandemic. Varsha hopes to convince them once the situation improves in Haryana. Since Firdaus’ father’s earnings have decreased, due to lack of work during the pandemic, the family is facing some amount of financial hardship.