Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Apr 9: Soon after Andaman Sheekha reported the despair of 6-year-old Priyanka’s family, in Jan 2015, who had no means to pay mounting hospital charges for treatment of their child, scores of readers responded with financial aid and comfort calls.
The family trying to get their child treated for a heart deformity was overwhelmed by the public response and generous donations ensured Priyanka’s treatment at a speciality hospital at Mainland.
Dr. Sudip Chakrobortry of Chakrobortry Multispeciality Hospital gave special attention and arranged treatment at Padmavathy Hospital of Puducherry.
Responding to Andaman Sheekha’s appeal for financial assistance from readers and general public, generous donations poured in from almost all sections of the society.
Some sent cheques, some donated in cash and eventually the required amount of money was collected for Priyanka’s treatment and she was sent for treatment to Pondicherry in the end of January and returned after a successful surgery in March 2015.
“She is perfectly fine now. Earlier, she was unable to stand even for a minute, but now she plays with her friends. She will have to go for a follow-up check up at Puducherry soon. We plan to admit her to a school next year. We are extremely indebted to all people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the generous and timely assistance provided to us. We are also indebted to those who have prayed day and night for our child,” said Ramakrishna.
Born to Mr Ramakrishna and Karuna Das, Priyanka was detected with a hole in heart at the age of two.
The father with a paltry income from working as a Driver in a local grocery shop was unable to bear the whopping expenses for his daughter’s treatment. Priyanka was unable to attend schools and was taught at home by her mother. She was also denied of playing with friends as little physical exertion caused her breathlessness and other complications. She was constantly kept under vigil by her mother.
After struggling for more than four years to arrange the money for treatment, Ramakrishna approached the Lt. Governor for help. An amount of 1 lakh sanctioned from the LG’s Relief Fund for treatment was insufficient.
Thankfully kind hearted people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands came forward and collected sufficient amount for the treatment of little angel.
