Lakshay case: CMO asks police to act on parents' plaint

Bengaluru: The plight of five-year-old Lakshay P, who slipped into coma after he was taken for surgery at Mallya Hospital, has drawn the attention of the chief minister's office (CMO).

In a letter to the top cop, dated July 1, the CM's office has asked police to act upon the complaint filed by the boy's parents and update them about the action taken so far.

In his police complaint, Lakshay's father Purushottam D S has accused Bishop Cotton Boys' School and Mallya Hospital of negligence. On Friday, he met officials from the health and family welfare department and handed over a requisition letter, asking them to either shift Lakshay to a government hospital or help the family with alternative arrangements.

"The medical expenses have touched Rs 11 lakh, of which Rs 9 lakh is the cost of keeping him on ventilator," said Vinod Reddy, a close aide of Purushottam.

Authorities from Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust had recently sent a letter to Lakshay's parents informing them the government will be able to bear the treatment cost if the boy is shifted to Pradhana Manthri Swastya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Hospital in the Victoria Hospital campus.

Dr R Raghunandan, joint director, medical, health and family welfare services, told TOI talks are on to shift Lakshay from Manipal Hospital to Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health. "We are discussing whether the boy's medical expenses can be met through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)", he said.

RBSK is a Government of India initiative aimed at screening children from birth to 18 years of age. It covers defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases and development delays, including disability. "Lakshay's father met me on July 15. We will see what best can be done," said Dr Vimala R Patil, director, health and family welfare department.

Month-long saga

On June 10, Lakshay hurt the middle and ring fingers of his left hand while playing at his desk in the classroom. He was rushed to Mallya Hospital. His parents were told he required a surgery for the ring finger. The boy slipped into coma soon after he was administered anaesthesia. His parents were asked to shift him to Manipal Hospital, where he was put on ventilator.

On July 7, he was taken off ventilator and was able to breathe on his own with the help of a tracheostomy tube. Though he can open his eyes, Lakshay is unable to comprehend anything.