Hassan: A donation of Rs 9.65 lakh made to a child for his medical treatment has become a contentious issue between the medical officer and the child’s family in Hassan. The child died before the donation made to him through bank deposits could be used for his treatment. Now, both sides want the donors to decide on the amount donated.
Naveen Kumar (4) was suffering from Buddcherry syndrome and was first admitted to a hospital in Sakleshpur , Hassan on May 18, 2013. He was later shifted to Bengaluru where doctors told Shobha, mother of the child that she would have to bear a cost of Rs 3 lakh to treat her son.
Dr Santosh who had attended to the boy at Kyamanahalli Primary Health Centre at Sakleshpur, came to Shobha’s rescue and advised her to open a savings bank account (64119032705) at State Bank of Mysore at Sakleshpur branch so that interested donors would come forward to make donations.
Besides, an advertisement was placed in various newspaper asking donors to help the child. Within a week, as many as Rs 9.65 lakh was deposited in the account opened in the name of the child at the bank.
Naveen did not respond to treatment and died on July 20, 2013. But, the donations remained untouched in the account of the boy.
A miffed Shobha, a labourer, alleged that she has been prevented by Dr Santosh from withdrawing money from her son’s account while Dr Santosh says that he has no problem in allowing Shobha to withdraw the amount but it should be left to the donors to decide if the family was free to use the money when the boy’s treatment had not happened.
Dr Santosh added that he is in possession of the bank passbook opened in the name of Naveen Kumar and that he would place another advertisement asking donors to make it clear whether Shobha’s family can use the amount. Shobha told DC, “Let donors decide on the amount. If donors are happy to give it to the family, we will welcome it.”
Meanwhile, Shobha met Hassan SP Rahul Kumar and briefed him of the matter.
