Bhubaneswar: A school dropout from Sambalpur district, who does sundry work to eke out a living, has become a lifeline for several patients coming to Vimsar, Burla, in the last 20 years. From arranging blood and coordinating with doctors to even arranging food and bus or train fare for poor people returning home after treatment, Laxmi Mahananda, a resident of Burla in the district, has been helping patients for the past two decades.The 50-year-old was inspired by another Burla resident, Arun Sharma, whom he saw helping poor patients coming to Vimsar 20 years ago. “I liked his work so much that I started extending a helping hand to patients. I feel happy when a person returns home with a smile,” he said.Initially, he would visit the hospital regularly and help people who had no idea about the procedures. “Now, mobile phones help us. We get calls from people seeking help and arrange support as per the requirements,” he said.He coordinates with the hospital administration and, at times, even helps send the bodies of deceased patients to their homes with the help of donors and officials. “Recently, an elderly woman from Balangir district died in the hospital. The son of the deceased requested me to arrange a hearse or private vehicle to take the body home. I requested the hospital authorities to arrange a vehicle. Thankfully, the Vimsar director agreed to our proposal,” he said.Sometimes, attendants of poor patients cannot arrange food. “We collect money from different people or arrange food for them. My main objective is to help them at any cost,” he said, adding the blessings of these patients help him lead a happy life. “A few years ago, I met with a dangerous accident. The driver died on the spot, but I was miraculously saved without any injury. I always feel that my good work saved me. That incident encouraged me to help these people all the more,” said Mahananda, a father of three — two sons and a daughter.He has organised blood donation camps three times and also donates blood himself. “Now, I am preparing to open a shop or eatery to help my family and the people I meet at the hospital,” he said.