Angul: Gupteswar Majhi and Bina Majhi of Hisein village of Nuakuda panchayat under Athmallik block in this district attended a public hearing camp organised by the district administration, Monday.
It was their last hope to return to the days of bliss they lost about three years ago, when their only son – then studying in Class V – fell sick. His treatment since has taken its toll on the meagre resources of the couple.
So it was that when they attended the public hearing, they had nothing left with which to continue their son’s treatment; it also didn’t help that by now their daughter, too, required treatment as she was diagnosed with stone in her stomach. They pleaded with the officials for Health Insurance Cards and free treatment for their children.
Like any other parents, Gupteswar, a daily wage earner, and Bina were delighted when Garuda was born to them. Garuda grew up, started going to school and was full of life; ‘tomorrow’ didn’t matter to him, but in him, Gupteswar and Bina saw theirs. They dreamt of the day when their son would grow up to share their burden.
But destiny played a cruel joke on them. It was when Garuda was studying in Class V that he started suffering fits. Gradually, he developed anemia, growing weaker and weaker with each passing day. Soon enough, Garuda could no longer walk even with assistance; his speech, too, started failing him and his body became inert and frail.
Gupteswar and Bina’s dreams lay shattered, but they were not going to give up easily. They first took him to Redhakhol CHC. Then to Angul district headquarters hospital (DHH) and when even that did not help, they took him to the Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack.
But, despite all efforts their means allowed, there was no sign of Garuda’s condition improving. Three years after, they have spent whatever savings they had. They even sold away the little valuables they had to meet the medical expenses.
“I have done whatever I was asked to do to get Garuda cured. More than Rs 50, 000 has been spent. No improvement is noticed as yet,” said a hapless Gupteswar. Worse, the doctors treating him are also not giving any satisfactory answer as to how long it will take for Garuda to be fully cured, he said.
As if it were not bad enough, their 10-year-old daughter Rupali’s health condition is also on the wane. After some tests, the doctors said it that she has stone in her stomach. For now, both the brother and sister are undergoing treatment at Angul DHH.
Pinning hope on the administration, the poor hapless parents said the government is providing treatment facilities to many ailing children. “Now, our last hope is the government. Unless the government comes to our rescue, there will be no chance of getting our children cured,” Gupteswar said.
PNN