Chennai: Terming the improvement shown by the 9-year-old boy, whose father sought permission for his passive euthanasia on the ground that the boy has been in persistent vegetative state since birth, a miracle, the Madras high court has appreciated Dr P. Umamaheswari, who is giving treatment to the boy, for the same.
A division bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and P. Rajamanickam made the observation while posting to November 8, further hearing of the petition filed by R. Thirumeni, father of the boy T.Pavendhen.
The bench said, “It is heartening to hear from the father of the boy, who approached this court seeking a direction for mercy killing, to state that there is a ray of hope for his son to recuperate from the treatment given by Anirudha medical organisation private limited, in which the boy has been admitted on October 13. The father of the boy submitted that for the past seven days, his son is taking treatment and he is able to see some improvement in his condition.”
Dr Umamaheswari, a specialist in trigger point therapy, who was present, has produced the records to show the treatment being given to the boy in the hospital.
The report also shows that the boy shows the signs namely recognition of sound increased, view of surroundings little bit improved, having good sleep in the day and night and sitting in the bed with minimal support. “This kind of improvement shown by a boy, who has been lying in permanent vegetative state itself, is a miracle, for which Dr Umamaheswari has to be appreciated”, the bench added.
The bench said Kavitha Rameshwar, counsel for the petitioner, Thirumeni, and Dr Umamaheswari submitted that the treatment has to be continued and the hospital will take care of the needs of the boy as well as his parents including boarding and lodging.
Assistant solicitor general G. Karthikeyan submitted that with regard to the scheme for providing medical and financial aid to the similarly placed children in India, since a collective decision has to be taken by four departments, he sought time.
Similarly, special government pleader J. Balagopal for the state government submitted that the government was in the process of taking a decision and he also requested two weeks time. It may not be out of context to mention that S. Raveekumar, B.B. Senthil Kumar and Rukmani Venugopalan, the counsel on record who represents the Anirudha medical organisation private limited-proposed party, have to be appreciated for the voluntary services rendered by them in this case, the bench added.
The 9-year-old boy’s father sought permission for his son’s passive euthanasia on the ground that the boy has been in persistent vegetative state since birth.
