Ailing Ganjam Woman Writes To Odisha CM, Seeks Permission For Euthanasia

Berhampur: A woman from Ramagada village under Buguda block in Ganjam district, who is suffering from chronic ailment, has written a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking permission for euthanasia as her pain has become unbearable.

The woman, Anita Pradhan, who is said to be mentally unstable, is suffering from chronic stomach ulcer.

According to sources, Anita was leading a stable life with her husband Dhoba Pradhan and two children until a few years back. However, her world turned upside down when she lost her son and daughter two years back. She couldn’t bear the agony and lost her mental balance in the process.

Things went worse when the severe mental pressure took a heavy toll on her health and she developed stomach ulcer. Due to financial crunch, she could not be treated in time and her disease became chronic. Now she is bedridden with severe stomach pain and could hardly take any food because of the chronic ulcer.

“My disabled son passed away when he was 17. I also lost my daughter two years back. My pain is unbearable now. I want to get rid of it,” said Anita.

Anita’s poor husband could hardly afford her treatment due to severe financial constraint.

“I have spent everything in the treatment of my ailing wife, but in vain. Now she is not taking food and got bedridden. Her suffering is unbearable. The little help I was getting from my neighbours is not forthcoming anymore. We are completely helpless now,” stated Dhoba.

The poor husband has informed the Sarapanch and BDO about the ordeal of his wife several times and pleaded for some help, which has fallen in deaf ears.

“I have also requested the district administration to provide some help from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund towards the treatment of my wife, but no one bothered,” alleged Dhoba.

“We don’t have a single penny left and Anita’s pain is increasing day by day. She can’t take it anymore. She is forced to plead for euthanasia,” added Dhoba.

Ganjam Sub-collector refused to give any comment about the incident.

(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)