Vikas Sahu (M-8750704511), father of a
two year-old boy, suffering from a rare and life-threatening lysosomal storage
genetic disorder known as Gaucher’s disease, through Advocate Ashok Agarwal,
has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the AIIMS, the Government
of NCT of Delhi and the Central Government, seeking free treatment for his son,
as he belongs to a poor family and is unable to afford
the hefty cost of Rs.4.75 lacs per month of Enzyme Replacement Therapy.
The petitioner is a street-vendor of steel utensils and
earns around a meager Rs. 3000 a month. He is the sole bread-winner for his
family consisting of his himself, his wife, his parents and a 2-year old child
Master Shiv.
Master Shiv was diagnosed of the deadly
disease about six months back. He is in a critical condition with
hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of liver and spleen) resulting in protrusion of
abdomen so much so that the child is finding it difficult to breathe, acute
anemia (Haemoglobin 4.8 against a normal minimum of 11) and acute
thrombocytopenia (platelets 19,000 against a normal minimum of 1,50,000). He
also has a stone in the kidney to worsen his situation. He was recently
admitted to AIIMS on 10.02.2015 and discharged on 17.02.2015. He has received
blood and platelets transfusion at least four to five times so far. The doctors
have recommended urgent initiation of Enzyme Replacement Therapy to save his
life.
However the cost of Enzyme Replacement
Therapy for Master Shiv at his present weight is estimated at Rs.4.75 lacs per
month and would increase with increase in his weight.
“The inaction on the part of AIIMS,
GNCTD & GOI in providing Enzyme Replacement Therapy free of cost to the
poor petitioner’s son Master Shiv is violative of his Fundamental &
Constitutional Rights to life, health and medical aid as guaranteed to him
under Article 21 read with Articles 38, 39, 41& 47 of the Constitution of
India,” the petition contends.
The petition will come up for hearing
tomorrow.
Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
M: 9811101923
O: 01123070026
26.02.2015
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