While there was a semblance of relief on the faces of parents over the news of their children’s discharge, there was an equal amount of grief and shock when doctors declared Tarun (7) dead on Monday. The child’s death took the fatality toll of children in the Masaipet bus accident to 15 and overall deaths, including that of the bus driver and helper, to 17.
Since July 24, hospital doctors had maintained that Prashanth (6), Varun Goud (7), Vaishnavi (11) and Tarun (7) were in a very critical condition. In fact, on Monday, doctors made it clear that Vaishnavi and Tarun were not responding to treatment.
“It’s difficult for doctors and even for families in such a situation. We are doing our best but both are not responding at all,” said Director, Medical Service, Yashoda Hospitals, A. Lingaiah. With no sign of improvement, doctors maintained that they were left with no option but to declare Tarun dead while Vaishnavi continues to remain very critical.
Meanwhile, hospital authorities have discharged seven children – Sairam (4), Ruchitha Goud (8), Satwika (6), Mahipal Reddy (4), Sadbhavan Das (3), Karunakar (9) and Sandeep (5), who have recovered completely. However, parents were reluctant to take them back to the village.
“What will we do in case an emergency occurs and our child wants a doctor? Moreover, we want to stay here for a few more days till our child is comfortable. We request authorities to allow us to stay a bit longer,” said Lalitha, mother of Ruchita Goud. Parents said that there are no proper medical services in their village and it would be tough in emergency situations when a specialist doctor is needed.
The hospital authorities made it clear that they were not putting a deadline for parents and children. “We are trying to convince parents to take their children out of the hospital environment and to a relative’s or friend’s house, which could help them recover psychologically. Moreover, there are chances of contracting an infection in hospitals too,” Dr. Lingaiah said.
Seven more children, Nabira Fatima (9), Darshan Goud (6), Harish (7), Abhinandu (9), Sirisha/Trisha (8), Shiva Kumar (5) and Sravani (6) have been shifted to recovery wards and are expected to be discharged in a day or two. Two children, Nithusha (7) and Sharath (6) are under close observation.
