Bhopal gas tragedy: Free treatment reinstated

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080039929&ch=2/2/2008%2012:01:00%20AM


Bhopal gas tragedy: Free treatment reinstated

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Kumar Shakti Shekhar
Thursday, January 31, 2008 (Bhopal)
It was a wake up call for the Madhya Pradesh government and they reacted to an NDTV report faster than they did to a Supreme Court order. Children of victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy have had it tough, and while initially there was free medical treatment for them, it stopped later. After NDTV aired a fresh report on the issue, the administration got cracking and reinstated the programme.There is some good news for Rabia, still suffering from the lethal gas that crippled Bhopal over twenty years ago. After many months, she won't have to pay for her son's treatment.''They did not charge for making the treatment card. Earlier they used to charge. This free treatment should continue forever,'' said Rabia, gas victim.The government had stopped free treatment to the gas victims in July last year. The matter went to the Supreme Court. It said free treatment should continue but the government didn't budge.''We were forced to move the Supreme Court due to the ridiculous order of the state government. Despite the Supreme Court order, the government did not take any action. Finally, it flung into action when NDTV took the initiative in the matter. This proves that the Madhya Pradesh government takes even serious issues so lightly,'' said Abdul Jabbar, social worker. But what about victims like Vinita? An NGO spent Rs 1.25 lakh for a heart surgery on her son. There are many poor families who have spent their own money. But the question is, will they get a refund now?''It is upon the government to decide whether to refund the money. We only obey orders. Anyway, the earlier order was proper in that context,'' said Dr S K Parganiha, Superintendent, Shakir Ali Khan Gas Relief Hospital.Unfortunately, there is no one who can compensate suitably for the mental agony that the gas leak victims and their children have undergone in the last six months.