Nayagarh: A woman had to pawn their ration card to get her husband cured. This incident has been reported from Badasahara village of Bhapur block in this district.
Chaitanya Nayak used to earn livelihood by playing kendera (a string instrument) and working as a daily wager. With whatever he received from passersby, he would manage to feed his family of five – his wife, two daughters, one son and himself, though it was sometimes a little difficult to meet the ends meet.
Everything was going on well till the day when he went to work in a nearby village. During his work, he suddenly fell ill. He complained of diarrhea and took leave from the job. He returned home after buying some medicines from hospital.
Though Chaitanya was cured from the complications of diarrhea, he developed another complication that reduced his body to a bag of bones. He was now unable to stand straight. Whenever he needed to walk few steps, he walked with the help of a stick.
As his body no longer permitted him to go around the villages playing kendera or do any work, it became too difficult for him to run the family. The burden of bearing treatment expenses and running the family finally fell on his wife. To get her husband treated, she had to sell whatever valuables they owned and took Chaitanya to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctors prescribed some medicines after some tests.
The problem did not end there. They had to return home without purchasing medicines as after the medical tests they were left with no money. She pleaded with the local MLA and sarpanch for assistance to buy medicines, but they also turned away.
One night Chaitanya’s health condition deteriorated and he complained of severe pain. With no money with her to buy medicines, she had no other option but to pawn their ration card for mere Rs 4000.
After coming to know about the plight of the family, Bhapur block chairman Gayadhar Paridas promised the family help from Chief Minister’s relief fund. While the family is waiting for succor, it is still uncertain as to when the assistance will be made available to this poverty and misfortune-stricken family.
PNN
