Sans Ayushman card, Odisha girl struggles with pain and poverty; parents seek help

At an age when children usually spend their days reading books, playing with friends, and running carefree under the open sky, little Lipsa has been confined to a bed for months. The 12-year-old girl from Bhojpur village under Khariar block in Nuapada dreams of going back to school, but fate has written a different story for her.

On January 26 this year, after returning from her school’s Republic Day celebrations, Lipsa climbed onto a neighbor’s roof to bring back some dried vegetables her mother had kept. Suddenly, a monkey snatched at the basket she was carrying. In panic, she slipped and fell from the roof. The fall was devastating—both her legs were fractured.

Doctors at Raipur’s Sri Narayan Hospital had to insert rods in a major surgery after she was shifted from Khariar Sub-Divisional Hospital and a local Mission Hospital. Her impoverished family has already spent over Rs 2.5 lakh — selling gold ornaments and mortgaging their land. Yet, the struggle continues as recurring hospital visits, transport, medicines, and food expenses keep adding to their burden.

Her parents, Jagdish Patel and Duleshwari Patel, remain worried about the next round of surgery needed to remove the rods. They say no support has come through government health cards so far, while the family struggles to make ends meet.

“My daughter jumped off from the roof and her two legs broke. I have spent Rs 2.5 lakh on her treatment,” Jagdish Patel, father of Lipsa.

“She is not able to go to school. We are not financially that strong. We need government assistance,” said Duleswari Patel, mother of Lipsa.

Lipsa spends her days watching her elder sister and younger brother walk to school, yearning to join them. Her mother bathes, feeds, and looks after her constantly, while her innocent eyes keep hoping for a normal life again.
The local health officer has promised that a medical team will soon visit and steps will be taken to provide her with an Ayushman health card. But until then, every day is a fight for the little girl and her family.

Also Read: Fertiliser crisis in Bargarh: Farmers protest over lack of urea supply

“Lipsa Patel (12) had surgery on her two legs. I got to know that the family does not have an Ayushman Health Card. We will send a team and make necessary arrangements for her treatment. She will get the health card soon,” said Dr Ranjit Rout, medical in-charge, Khadial sub-division hospital.

For those who wish to help, her family can be reached at:

Name: Jagdish Patel
Village: Bhojpur
Block: Khariar
District: Nuapada
Mobile: 9938553780