Still no government aid for?Mariam Kausar

Bangalore: While the government has suspended two doctors and terminated the services of two more holding them responsible for the condition of  three-year-old Mariam Kausar, who remains in a semi-comatose state, her parents have now been asked to take her home as the hospital bills at Malathi Manipal have crossed over Rs 7 lakh.

"The doctors had asked us to take her home by Wednesday but now her stay has been extended because it is difficult to create an ICU kind off environment for her at home," said Mariam’s aunt,  Reshma. With the hospital bill running into lakhs mobilising money for her continued treatment has become a huge worry for the family. "It has been a month. Isn’t it time we got some financial help?"  asked Reshma.

"Mariam’s treatment at the hospital costs around Rs 10000 to  Rs 15000 per day but we have not received any help from the government yet," regretted the child’s uncle, Rafiulla.

When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, the officer on special duty to health and family welfare minister, U T Khader, said as the child was being treated in a private hospital, the government had no scheme to help her family meet the cost.

"The issue has been taken up by Khader and our office has already sent a note to the Chief Minister to provide all help in this regard to the family. We are trying to use the CM’s relief fund to  re-imburse it for the expenses it incurs. The family can also apply for the PM’s relief fund," he added.

Meanwhile as the authorities quibble over her treatment expenses, Mariam remains on NG tube feeding and is receiving physiotherapy and trachesotomy care.

The family has been asked to give her liquid home-made food as well. But going by her medical reports her current neurological condition remains  poor.