Family awaits repatriation of Odia patient from Qatar

Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: Financial constraints have prevented the family of K Jagannath Pradhan from bringing him back from Qatar to his native village Manikpur under Khallikote block of Ganjam district.

Pradhan who is undergoing treatment at Rumailah hospital in Doha after meeting a severe car accident in May 2013, had left his village for job some six years ago. Though his condition is stated to be stable, due to poor economic condition, the family is unable to bring him back to home.

The matter came to light after Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan returned from his Qatar visit earlier this month, wrote a letter to Odisha government for safe return of Pradhan and suitable medical treatment in Odisha.

“I take this opportunity to request you to take a humanitarian view in this regard and accept transfer of Katari Jagannath Pradhan who is a resident of Manikyapur, Kanhepur, Khallikote, Ganjam, Odisha and provide him suitable medical treatment in Odisha,” the letter read.

The family members are also waiting for safe return of Jagannath.

“We have no money and we request the Odisha government to help us in the matter,” Poti Pradhan, mother of Jagannath said.

Meanwhile the State government has said that it will do all possible help for repatriation of Jagannath.

“We will soon take up the matter and extend all possible help to his (Jagannth’s) family,” higher education minister Pradeep Panigrahi said.