Dhanteras tragedy: Injured by carbide gun, it took 11-yr-old boy 5 long days to reach Bhopal for treatment

BHOPAL: On Oct 18, during Dhanteras festivities, 11-year-old Senu sustained injuries from a carbide gun in Ashta in MP’s Sehore district. Due to monetary limitations, his father initially sought local medical care, delaying the crucial journey to Bhopal for specialised treatment until Oct 23, putting the child's vision at risk.Despite possessing an Ayushman Bharat card for healthcare coverage, the family still awaits governmental support.“My son was injured while using a carbide gun on the morning of Dhanteras. I didn’t have money, so I delayed taking him for specialised treatment and could only bring him to Bhopal on Oct 23,” said Senu’s father Jitendra Verma. Senu’s village, Khamkheda Jatra near Ashta, is about 85km from Bhopal.Senu had bought the carbide gun from the local market for Rs 150.Initially, they travelled 15km to a private clinic in Ashta. “Doctors in Ashta charged Rs 800 for treatment and advised me to reach Bhopal immediately or he would lose his eyesight. In Ashta, they could give him only some eyedrops,” Jitendra said.Jitendra utilised his Diwali savings and obtained loans for the treatment.“For two days, I kept telling myself — whatever happens, I have to act,” said Jitendra, his voice steady despite visible fatigue.

Though troubled by the initial delay, he remained determined to save his son. “It took time to borrow money, and only then could I reach Bhopal on Oct 23. By then, five days had passed,” he added.At Sewa Sadan Charitable Eye Hospital in Bhopal, where he finally managed to get Senu, expenses reached Rs 15,000 in two days and there was no compensation from the govt.“I have an Ayushman Bharat card, but it was not entertained.

I paid around Rs 11,000 in Ashta, and overall, I’ve spent nearly Rs 15,000 on my son’s treatment,” he said.‘Ayushman card not entertained at hosp’I have an Ayushman Bharat card, but it was not entertained. I paid around Rs 11,000 in Ashta, and overall, I’ve spent nearly Rs 15,000 on my son’s treatment. The hospital staff told me I should have informed them earlier and made a claim before the procedure was started,” he said. Discharged on Saturday, Senu’s next appointment is Nov 1, with uncertainty about vision recovery. Sehore collector Balaguru K did not respond to calls from TOI. Senu, passionate about cricket and kabaddi, aspires to join Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), a residential school network. “I got the form for Rs 500 and entrance preparation books for another Rs 700. I do not know how I will be able to appear in the examination now,” Senu said.