Thiruvananthapuram: A resident of Kochuthura has accused the government of denying super speciality treatment to victims of Tirunelveli bus accident who were shifted from a private hospital to Medical College Hospital casualty on January 17.
Hours after the mishap on January 8, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had declared before television cameras that free and excellent treatment would be given to all those who were seriously injured after a Volvo bus returning from Karakkal toppled at Tirunelveli.
After several rounds of surgeries, two of the victims, Raju Avarachan and his wife Jenny Raju, were shifted out unceremoniously from a private hospital, alleges an FB post by their acquaintance Shyam Athony.
Jenny Raju
“On January 17, without the knowledge of relatives, the family was discharged and taken into an ambulance. The relatives who reached there were told that the duo was being taken to Medical College Super Speciality wing for treatment,” a Facebook post by Mr Anthony said.
On reaching the hospital, officials said that the beds in multi-speciality were full. The victims were shifted to casualty wing.
Mr Raju has lost one hand and has very serious head injuries. Jenny also sustained serious injuries while their daughter lost a leg and underwent surgeries on intestine, sources said. Presently relatives shell out money for the treatment of the family.
When contacted, a senior health department official said the government would take care of their initial treatment costs as promised.
“Four people including the said family were admitted to SUT hospital and the treatment bill came to around Rs 19 lakh after the hospital waived some charges. Government is yet to decide on the continuing expenses. The patients are presently out of danger but their treatment can stretch for a long period and hence they were shifted. Raju is serious while others are sure to resume normal life," he said.
