Vizag doctors give up on tumour patient who sought euthanasia, refer her to Kakinada GGH

KAKINADA: The doctors of Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Visakhapatnam gave up on the ovarian tumour patient, who sought euthanasia, and referred her to government general hospital in Kakinada on Saturday. 

Pathi Ramalakshmi, 36, of Pithapuram had submitted a memorandum to collector Kartikeya Mishra during the weekly ‘Grievence Cell’ programme held in Kakinada on March 19 seeking permission for euthanasia, as she could not afford medical expenses. 

She clarified that she took the decision of seeking permission for euthanasia because of two reasons. The first being lack of money to get operated and the second one is unbearable stomach pain due to this huge tumour.Pathi Ramalakshmi was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and visited a super speciality hospital in Hyderabad where doctors advised her to undergo a surgery which would cost `4.5 lakh.

As she was not in a position to foot the medical bill she sought euthanasia. Responding to her request, East Godavari district collector Kartikeya Mishra directed officials of ‘NTR Vaidya Seva’ Trust, to take steps to provide her treatment.

The collector made arrangements to admit her to Hope International Hospital for commencing the treatment on March 20. The collector directed officials concerned to take immediate steps to provide better treatment to her. Dr. V Vara Prasad, district coordinator of the NTR Vaidya Seva trust, counselled members of her family and contacted oncology experts at Kakinada. 

Vara Prasad said that Ramalakshmi was suffering from a huge ovarian tumour, “secondary to carcinoma sigmoid colon.” She is eligible for treatment under the trust, he added. However, Pathi Ramalakshmiwas referred to Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Visakhapatnam for better treatment on March 22.

Ramalakshmi narrates her woes
Ramalakshmi said that she is unable to sit and even stand properly because of the huge tumour and gets fatigue while talking. She said that the pain from this tumour was excruciating.

She stated that her husband Kondababu is a lorry cleaner and he stopped going for work to look after her. She said that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has released a mere Rs 1 lakh.