Project Respite 2.0: Healthcare for a forgotten region

The Bihar Health Initiative (medical center, mobile clinic, social services) in India was started in 2002 in response to the desperate and heart-breaking needs of the local people. Bodhgaya, located in Bihar, the poorest state in India, is an important spiritual pilgrimage site. Yet, for the local poor population, it is a place of intense physical suffering. People of different religions and castes (including the “untouchable” caste, the poorest segment of the Indian population) live in destitution and poverty in this under-developed state. There is so much corruption in state-run programs that the local population does not trust the few services that are provided. Medical help is not available in the outer regions and the government has no plans to correct this situation.

In 2007, with the help of Google and the private philanthropy of Googlers, Project Respite successfully funded the construction of the Shechen Medical Center, a large 2 story hospital that is the only provider of modern health care services to a population of over 200,000 - most of whom have no other recourse for medicine or aid.

The goal of Project Respite 2.0 is to build on the work we have accomplished thus far to forge this new building into the centerpiece of an elaborate and strategic initiative to expand public healthcare through mobile clinics to the entire region and provide travelling care providers, medical equipment and educators to outlying villages and locations.

It will also serve as a central location for WHO initiatives against tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and malaria; problems which currently consume 50% of all regional healthcare costs that will be entirely offset by providing adequate headquarters for these programs.

Join Matthieu Ricard on October 15th, 2009 at Google as we move to fully equip the center with modern healthcare equipment including computers, examination equipment and machinery as well as supplies.

Join us in funding and constructing mobile units capable of transforming public health, women’s health and rights, disease prevention and sexual education for a greater population of 200,000 people in one of the poorest and most neglected regions on Earth.

Join us in completing the work that Google started, to help meet the need where human suffering is greatest.