DAY 10 – 17th JANUARY 2026

SMALL HELPS THAT MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE (Part 3)

The day was spent in Trivandrum, otherwise known as Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. First, we met with a number of patients whose kidneys have failed and who need expensive immunosuppressant drugs or frequent dialysis, all of which must be paid for. We help with the cost, and most cope surprisingly well but a couple are clearly struggling.

Some of the patients we continue to support with money for medication:

Shaj Castro, kidney transplant 2009

Ashim Sunil. 20-year-old engineering

Nisha with her family

Our hospital bystander, Shibu

Then it was off to the Trivandrum Medical College Hospital to see Shibu’s patients. The nursing staff now give some help to patients who have no bystander. Consequently, there can be up to seventy people in the hospital needing personal nursing care. Shibu continues to remain busy, especially nursing incontinent patients.

Some of Shibu’s patients

Tom Sutherland with a patient

Then there was shopping to do. We arrived back late – all the tea stalls were closed for the night, so I had to make do with a Sharjah.