A woman with burn injury died after being refused treatment in a hospital here for lack of money, while her husband who too had been injured was battling for life here.
Sibu Nayak (24) and his wife Sabita (21) of Jamtolla Basti of Sector 6 area had received burn injuries while cooking in kerosene stove and were admitted in the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) on August 26.
Residents of Jamtolla basti had shifted the duo first to the Rourkela Government Hospital and later, to the Ispat General Hospital as per advice of the doctors.
According to sister in-law of Sibu, since they were very poor and had no money to pay the hospital charges, they were refused treatment at the IGH. They had initially sold household belongings, including their cot, cupboard and other household items. Since, they had no money to meet further requirement of the IGH, both Sibu and his wife Sabita were discharged from IGH on Wednesday.
Both Sibu and Sabita were brought back to their house in critical condition where they had to sleep on floor of the house. The health condition of Sabita and Sibu had further worsened on Thursday. She was again rushed to the RGH but had died on the way to the hospital.
After the death of Sabita, some local volunteers had drawn attention of Panposh Sub Collector Himansu Behera about the health condition of Sibu and his plight. later, the Sub Collector talked to the RGH authorities and Sibu was admitted in the RGH.
“Although, his burn percentage is about 50 percent only, he sustained high infection, probably developed after being discharged from hospital and during staying in his house,” said deputy chief medical officer of RGH S Kabisatapathy.
According to sources, Sibu has not yet been informed about his wife’s death, while three of his children are languishing now at his house without food and care.