MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · CHILDHOOD CRITICAL ILLNESS
A Fever Took Him From West Bengal to Chennai to Delhi. He's Learning to Walk Again.
What began as a persistent fever took my nephew from one hospital to another across states. My brother had to take emergency leave from his posting in Kashmir just to be with his son. Today, he is communicating again, and learning to walk.
15 days
Spent in the ICU during his first hospital admission in West Bengal
₹1-1.5L
Spent at a second hospital in Durgapur, with no significant improvement
40%
Across West Bengal, Durgapur, Chennai, and Delhi, in search of the right treatment
A fever that took the family across the country
When my nephew first fell seriously ill, our family had no idea how difficult the road ahead would be. What began with a persistent fever eventually took us from one hospital to another, across states, as we struggled to understand what was happening and find the right treatment for him.
We initially took him to a major hospital in our district in West Bengal, where his condition became so serious that he had to be admitted to the ICU. He remained there for around 15 days. Although his fever improved and he was discharged, the relief did not last long. Just two days after returning home, his fever came back, leaving us unsure of what to do next.
We then admitted him to another hospital in Durgapur, where he stayed for another three to four days. We spent around ₹1 to 1.5 lakh there, but there was still no significant improvement in his condition. With no clear way forward, we contacted CMC in Chennai, secured an appointment, and finally decided to take him there by flight. Getting him from West Bengal to Chennai while he was so unwell was one of the most difficult parts of this journey.
“When a large amount was required for his treatment, discovering that people were willing to contribute brought a sense of relief.”
— Uncle
Villagers, loans, and a family split across states
The treatment journey put enormous pressure on our family. My brother, his father, works in the armed forces and was posted in Kashmir at the time, while I work for a private company. When my nephew had to be taken to Chennai, my brother had to take emergency leave and travel from Kashmir to be with his family. With my sister-in-law largely managing things on her own at home, we struggled to balance work, travel, and the constant demands of treatment.
We had to find money from every possible source. We come from a village in West Bengal, where villagers and local club members helped collect funds for his treatment. Relatives also contributed, while my brother and I took loans to meet the growing expenses. We had never imagined facing a medical crisis of this scale and initially struggled to understand how we would afford it.
How I found Milaap
Milaap became another important source of support during this period. We learned about Milaap through a relative who had seen someone else receive help through the platform. When we had already exhausted much of the support available within our own circle, the fundraiser allowed people outside our immediate community to come forward and help. This financial support gave us relief at a time when we urgently needed funds for his treatment.
“When a large amount was required for his treatment, discovering that people were willing to contribute brought a sense of relief.”
— Uncle
Where he is today
His treatment is still ongoing, and he is currently receiving care at AIIMS in Delhi. Compared with the worst phase of his illness, his condition has improved considerably. He has started communicating more, can hear and respond better, and has even begun learning to walk again. After seeing him go through such a critical phase, these small improvements have become deeply meaningful for our family.
Even now, we know the journey is not over. He continues to require medical care and monitoring, and we are still trying to manage the financial pressure that comes with prolonged treatment. But compared with where we began, there is a reason to hope. The child who once spent days in critical care is now communicating, moving around, and learning to walk again.
Moving between hospitals and states in search of the right diagnosis?
When a child’s illness doesn’t respond to treatment right away, families often travel across cities and states before finding the right care, and the costs multiply with every stop. We help families reach a wider circle of support so the search for treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
Why do families sometimes need to travel across states for a child's diagnosis?
Not every hospital has the specialists or equipment needed to diagnose and treat complex or unclear conditions. Families often move between local hospitals and larger specialty centres, sometimes across states, before finding a team that can properly diagnose and manage the illness.
How much can it cost to seek treatment for a child across multiple hospitals?
Costs add up quickly with each admission, especially when travel between cities or states is involved. This family spent between ₹1 and 1.5 lakh at just one intermediate hospital, on top of the costs of ICU care, flights, and ongoing treatment at two further hospitals.
How do families manage work and caregiving when a parent is posted far from home?
Many families rely on extended family members to share caregiving and financial responsibilities when a parent, such as one serving in the armed forces, cannot be immediately present. Emergency leave, as this family’s father took, is often necessary to reunite the family during a medical crisis.
How do I start a fundraiser for my child's ongoing medical treatment?
You typically need a diagnosis report and a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, along with identity proof for the parent or guardian raising funds. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap