A 24-year-old endosulfan victim died at a private hospital in Puttur on Sunday.
According to activist Sridhar Gowda, Santosh (24), son of labourer Veerappa Gowda from Golitottu village in Puttur taluk, had developed breathing problems. Mr. Veerappa Gowda, who has an aged father to look after, found it convenient to admit this son to the private hospital, which was about 40 km away from his house.
Mr. Sridhar Gowda alleged that Santosh was among the bedridden endosulfan victims who have not been provided the facility of a government doctor visiting his house for treatment. He was not getting required medicines too, Mr. Sridhar Gowda said.
However, Arun Kumar S.B., who has been looking after the facilities for endosulfan victims in the district, said Santosh was being attended by Nellyadi Primary Health Centre’s Medical Officer Krishnanand. Santosh, whose bones had weakened, was among the 180 bedridden victims. He was receiving a financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 a month and was entitled to treatment at empanelled private hospitals in Mangaluru.
Pall of gloom
He is the third endosulfan victim to die so far this year. Nine-year-old Aishtul Hasina from Panaje died following a heart operation at a private hospital in Mangaluru on March 19. Seven-year-old Dikshit died in the Government Wenlock Hospital on March 5. A pall of gloom descended on the house on Sunday. Santosh was the eldest of the two children of Mr. Veerappa Gowda and Revati. His 70-year-old father was attached to Santosh, said a relative.
Santosh was bedridden as his bones had weakened
He is the third endosulfan victim to die so far this year
