Couple puts themselves for sale for daughter’s treatment

AGRA: Unable to arrange money for the treatment of their daughter suffering from thalassemia, a family offered themselves for sale outside the local MP’s residence on Friday afternoon.

Talking to TOI, Santosh Kumar, father of Bebo, who suffers from Thalassemia, said, “I’m a taxi driver. I have spent all my savings for the treatment of my daughter. I have paid medical bills of over Rs 2.5 lakh so far and need immediate financial support or I will lose my daughter.”

“I had written a letter to PM Narendra Modi and DM Gaurav Dayal informing them about the condition of my two children but to no avail. My elder son was born with mental and physical deformities but my daughter developed blood disorder when she was two-years-old. During treatment, we were told that she was suffering from thalassemia and needs regular blood,” he added.

The parents claimed that the DM had assured help for the girl’s treatment and the lekhpal even enquired about the costs involved. However, the family received no assistance from the government, he added.

“As we didn’t receive any help from the government, we decided to offer ourselves for sale so that the money can be used for our daughter’s treatment,” said Bebo’s mother Neha, who works as a domestic help.

Talking to TOI, Sharad Chauhan, public relations officer at MP

Ram Shankar Katheria

’s office, said, “We have taken photocopies of the girl’s medical record and are making arrangements to admit the patient in AIIMS, Delhi. We will also contact the DM to offer further assistance to the family.”

Meanwhile, additional district magistrate (protocol) Kanchan Singh said, “We are making arrangements for the treatment of the girl.”