It has been 16 days since five-year-old Lakshay P., an UKG student from Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, slipped into a coma after allegedly being overdosed with anaesthesia at Mallya Hospital while the doctors were performing a plastic surgery.
The child, who was later shifted to Manipal Hospitals, is still under ventilation.
On Sunday, parents of about 20 of his classmates visited him at the hospital. Taking note of the mounting medical bills, the parents also extended support to Lakshay’s parents.
His father Purushotham D.S., who owns a printing press, said, “The daily hospital bill is around Rs. 60,000 and the [total] bill has already crossed Rs. 10 lakh. We are running from pillar to post seeking help,” he said.
The parents have demanded answers from the management of the school, besides an assurance that such accidents won’t recur.
“We are planning to hold a silent protest and initiate legal action against Mallya Hospital,” one parent said.
On June 10, Lakshay’s left hand was crushed in school and he was rushed to Mallya Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the school authorities visited Lakshay on Saturday and handed over a cheque for Rs. 1 lakh to his parents. Interestingly, the Cubbon Park police, who are investigating the case after the parents filed a medical negligence complaint, have not been able to ascertain the exact cause of his injuries till now.
They have now sought the opinion of medical experts. Mr. Purushotham said he had tried to enquire with his son’s teachers and school authorities about the accident.
However, all he got from them was vague responses. They claimed that Lakshay’s fingers were crushed under a desk, he added.
