Rashmita, victim of acid attack asked to vacate hospital

OST Bureau
Cuttack, Nov 30:

The double standard of the Odisha government towards the sexually and physically abused victims has come to light after an acid attack victim was literally forced by authorities to leave the SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Friday.

The victim, Rashmita Bhadra (20) of Rajnagar area of Kendrapara district, who had been undergoing treatment of the severe burn injuries sustained following an acid attack at the surgery ward of the hospital for over two-and-half months, was discharged by the hospital authorities reportedly on the ground that she can not be allowed to occupy a bed for such a long time.

The victim, Rashmita, is yet to recover fully, her family members said.

“The swelling on her face and other parts of the body persists and she is not able to either walk or eat on her own,” they said.

Talking to OST, the family members informed that they have little option than get her admitted to a private nursing home for further treatment and bear the heavy expenses involved.

Expressing anguish over the mode of treatment that the victim has had to undergo at the SCB, Rasmita’s uncle Rabindra Jena said, “My niece was kept at the surgery ward for over two months. The doctors were not keen about her proper treatment. When the time has come for her plastic surgery, the hospital authorities have discharged her and asked her to come every Tuesday for check-up and consultation with the doctors”.

The incident has exposed the intention and concern of the state government towards the victims of gender violence and sexual assaults, her family members said.

“The government is quick to announce ex gratia of RS 10 lakh every time such victims die but does little serve them when they are battling for recovery,” an angry relative of the victim said.

“The hospital authorities had promised us to provide pressure garments for the acid-hit victim which they did not do. We had to buy pressure garments worth Rs 15,000 on our own to save her life”, the dejected family members informed.

It may be mentioned that one Alekh Mandal had thrown acid on Rashmita on the night of September 5 while she was asleep in her house at Badanaukana village after she turned down his proposal for marriage.

She was rushed to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack with 55 percent burn injury.