Shamanam – Free Medicine Support Program
Shamanam – Free Medicine Support Program
The Shamanam- Free Medicine Program is one of the oldest and most impactful initiatives of Helping Hands Charitable Trust. Launched in 1994, it was built on the belief that access to essential medication should not be a privilege. For over 30 years, this program has provided life-sustaining medicines — completely free — to patients suffering from chronic and critical illnesses across Kerala.
UN SDG alignment
UN SDG alignment
Why we started
Why we started
The Gap Beyond the Hospital
Public hospitals treat patients, but when they step outside — many can’t afford the prescription in hand.
The Turning Point
A mother halves her psychiatric medication to make it last.
A cancer patient delays chemo to buy groceries.
We saw that when medicine is unaffordable, illness becomes a life sentence.
The Response: Shamanam
An initiative to protect health, uphold dignity, and ensure treatment doesn’t stop at the pharmacy door.
The Gap Beyond the Hospital
Public hospitals treat patients, but when they step outside — many can’t afford the prescription in hand.
The Turning Point
A mother halves her psychiatric medication to make it last.
A cancer patient delays chemo to buy groceries.
We saw that when medicine is unaffordable, illness becomes a life sentence.
The Response: Shamanam
An initiative to protect health, uphold dignity, and ensure treatment doesn’t stop at the pharmacy door.
“To ensure that no patient is denied treatment due to the cost of medicines — by providing free, regular, and reliable access to essential drugs for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.”
“To ensure that no patient is denied treatment due to the cost of medicines — by providing free, regular, and reliable access to essential drugs for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.”
“To ensure that no patient is denied treatment due to the cost of medicines — by providing free, regular, and reliable access to essential drugs for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.”
Impact on bbc
Impact on Shamanam
Impact on Shamanam
The Care Home Program by Helping Hands Charitable Trust, launched in 2019, provides free, hygienic, and compassionate accommodation to poor patients
The Care Home Program by Helping Hands Charitable Trust, launched in 2019, provides free, hygienic, and compassionate accommodation to poor patients
Three decades of sustaining thousands of patients each month with vital care for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
01
Sleep in unsafe and unhygienic conditions near hospitals
03
Face food insecurity and malnutrition during treatment
02
Suffer from loss of wages for both patients and caregivers
04
Lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities
02
Suffer from loss of wages for both patients and caregivers
04
Lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities
How it works
From referral to recovery — a simple, reliable system ensuring patients get the medicines they need, when they need them.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Patient Onboarding
Referrals come from hospitals, social workers, or past beneficiaries. Volunteers then assess each case by verifying income and medical condition.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Patient Onboarding
Referrals come from hospitals, social workers, or past beneficiaries. Volunteers then assess each case by verifying income and medical condition.
Impact on Shamanam
Three decades of sustaining thousands of patients each month with vital care for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
01
Started in 1994 — three decades of unwavering support to patients in need.
03
₹6–7 lakhs invested monthly to ensure uninterrupted treatment and dignity in care.
02
700+ patients cared for every month, reaching tens of thousands over the years.
04
Support for cancer, kidney, cardiac, mental health, neurological, and other chronic conditions.
How it works
From referral to recovery — a simple, reliable system ensuring patients get the medicines they need, when they need them.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Patient Onboarding
Referrals come from hospitals, social workers, or past beneficiaries. Volunteers then assess each case by verifying income and medical condition.
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
“My cancer meds cost more than I earned in a month. Helping Hands saved me — not just with medicine, but with kindness.”
Shantha
Kozhikode
“I’ve been collecting my son’s psychiatric medicines here for 4 years. We couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Sreekumar
Father
Gallery
Gallery
Monthly support overview (3-year summary)
Monthly support overview (3-year summary)
2022
620 Patients
₹78,00,000
2023
690 Patients
₹86,00,000
2024
710+ (Ongoing)
₹90,00,000+ est.
How it works
From referral to recovery — a simple, reliable system ensuring patients get the medicines they need, when they need them.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Patient Onboarding
Referrals come from hospitals, social workers, or past beneficiaries. Volunteers then assess each case by verifying income and medical condition.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Patient Onboarding
Referrals come from hospitals, social workers, or past beneficiaries. Volunteers then assess each case by verifying income and medical condition.
Special Campaigns
Special Campaigns
Current Drive
Current Drive
Goal: Cover full-year medicine for 100 cancer patients
Target: ₹60,00,000
Raised So Far: ₹21,50,000
One-Time Appeals
Neuro medications for 30 patients – ₹3,00,000
Transplant medication emergency fund – ₹5,00,000
Donate Now
Who Can Apply?
Who Can Apply?
Poor patients with verified chronic illness
Requires prescription and income certificate
Documents Required
Doctor’s letter and prescription
Photo ID and income proof
Contact and treatment center details
Free Medicine Support
Why It Matters
Natural disasters leave families exposed, hungry, and afraid. Helping Hands doesn’t just offer relief — we restore hope, one home at a time.
Support a Patient’s Monthly Medication
₹1,000 – Mental health medications
₹2,000 – Neurology support
₹2,500 – Cardiac prescriptions
₹4,800 – Kidney transplant follow-ups
₹5,000 – Chemotherapy meds
Why It Matters
For many families, free medicine means the difference between treatment and abandonment. We don’t just give out tablets — we give people a chance to live, love, and recover with dignity.
Support a Patient’s Monthly Medication
₹1,000 – Mental health medications
₹2,000 – Neurology support
₹2,500 – Cardiac prescriptions
₹4,800 – Kidney transplant follow-ups
₹5,000 – Chemotherapy meds
