Janaandolan injured still in hospital
KATHMANDU, June 12 - Kumar Thapa of Butwal, sleeps on the hospital bed with his seven-month-old child, counting the days for his operation and the day to go home. The doctor has once again postponed operating on his bullet-holed intestine, as he still needs to recuperate.
He wishes is to be flown home at the earliest, away from the boredom that he feels at the Kathmandu Model Hospital. Once home his baby and wife can get to sleep better. A month-and-a-half after the restoration of democracy, they are still sleeping in the cramped hospital passage at night.
Sujan, who turns seven months on June 17, has been given a baby walker and has started moving around the floor. "He follows the nurses, probably attracted by the white gowns," says Samjhana, his mother, who is worried about her two other children back home, missing their education.
Bhoj Prasad Shrestha, ex-mayor and local politician from Butwal promised to enroll Tek Chand, 6 and Rupa, 4 in school but the two are still at home.
The family was given a daily allowance of Rs 500 from the Loktantra Fund with which they managed food for themselves and their child. But the allowance stopped since Saturday, and they were told that the allowance would resume only after a board meeting.
Sunil Thapa Magar, 20, who was shot in the abdomen, has a wound in the intestine which has become septic. He is awaiting an operation, after which he could go home.
Like Kumar and Sunil, there are over 33 persons, injured during the Janaandolan-II identified as having long-term health risks. The Janaandolan Injured Treatment and Coordination Committee (JITCC) of the government is busy compiling data of the exact number of permanently disabled.
There are two patients languishing in TUTH, eight in Model Hospital, three in B&B Hospital and one in Bir Hospital, who require specialized treatment.
"A preliminary report has shown 33 people received severe injuries in the Janaandolan and are likely to have long-term disabilities. But the expert team of doctors are further studying the cases to get authentic data," said Dr Bhim Acharya, member secretary of the commission, which has so far distributed Rs 1.8 million to those injured in the pro-democracy movement.
Ramesh Kumar Rai, 41 of Sindhuli, a heavy truck driver, sustained a fracture in his right leg during a lathi-charge in Gongabu. He has stopped driving. His wife Phul Maya and six children aged nine to 17 years of age are left to fend for themselves in pricey Kathmandu after their father became handicapped.
"I can't drive my truck anymore," Rai says. "I cannot drive or work now. My six children need to continue their education. Who will pay their fees and feed them?"
Subash Pathak, 20, from Nuwakot, was shot in his right eye. An artificial eye was implanted but he still doesn't see very well with his remaining due to effects of the bullet injury to his right eye. As a student he needs special care and support for his education.
A commission has now been set up to examine and provide emergency relief to these injured pro-democracy fighters. It is providing Rs 250 a day to the injured. But for many severely injured who cannot return to work, this money is not enough to feed their family and send their children to school.
Posted on: 2006-06-11
Source:Kantipuronline.com
