Post News Network
Sambalpur, April 20: A 40-year-old woman suffering from cancer has sought help for her survival as well as of her two sons. This is yet another instance of continuance of acute poverty despite claims of implementation of several mass welfare schemes in the district.
Life has become tough for Kamala Guru, who was diagnosed with breast cancer recently, as she finds it extremely difficult to make both ends meet for her and her children Shishudeba (12) and Basudeba (11).
Kamala had married Ramakrushna Guru of Sindhirabahal village under Gudvella block of Bolangir district. However, the woman’s in-laws threw Kamala and her two children out of the house after her husband died due to brain malaria.
She has been staying in Remed along with her children since then and was determined to make her children’s lives better by working hard. However, all hell broke loose when she was diagnosed with the disease and subsequent operation.
“I had dreamt of a better future for my sons. I was determined to work hard and give them better education. However, all my dreams were shattered after I was diagnosed with breast cancer recently,” the woman said.
Kamala approached the district administration for help Monday and prayed the administration to include her name under various government schemes.
The woman, who works as a sweeper at a rice mill in Remed at `115 per day, had undergone surgery at VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla in October after being diagnosed with the disease. As she didn’t have the money required for the operation, she had to borrow `7,000 from the rice mill owner.
Now, even as she has become physically weak after the operation, she has to work every day to repay the loan. “It is very difficult for me to work every day after the operation. But I have no other option as I have to repay the money to the rice mill owner,” she said.
Kamala also said she was in dire need of money for further treatment. However, with ailing health condition and no one to support her, she is quite distressed over arranging money for sons’ education, food as well as for her treatment.
“It has been very difficult to arrange food and clothes for my sons due to lack of money,” she said with tears rolling down her cheeks.