Unable To Bear Medical Expenses Of Ailing Daughter, Andhra Couple Seek Mercy Killing

In a heart-rending episode, a poor couple from chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's native Chitoor district on Thursday approached a local court seeking permission for mercy-killing of their ailing eight-month-old daughter. The unusual petition moved the court, which however, maintained that the plea does not come under its purview.?

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It directed the couple to approach either the Chittoor district court or the high court in Hyderabad. Moved by the plight of the couple and the child, the advocates present in the court donated about Rs 5000.

Ramanappa, a worker in a grocery store, and his wife Saraswati filed the petition in the court of junior civil judge at Tamballapalle urging it to grant permission for passive euthanasia of their daughter Gnana Sai, who has been suffering from a congenital liver problem.?

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The parents, who live in a small house near Bathalapuram railway gate in Nuthalacheruvu mandal, pleaded that the court should direct the state government to bear the medical expenses of Gnana Sai or allow her mercy-killing as they are not in a position to foot the medical bill.

The little girl has been diagnosed as suffering from a rare congenital condition. She requires liver transplant, which doctors said will cost about Rs 50 lakh. Doctors said the girl needed immediate medical treatment as any delay will complicate her health condition.

"A local doctor diagnosed it as a liver complication and treated the baby. But there was no improvement in her health. We have spent all the money we have. We borrowed money from friends and relatives. We are left with no money now," Ramanappa told local media outside the court.

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He said he took the baby to a corporate hospital in Bangalore where doctors said she needed liver transplant to rectify the congenital defect.

"The entire procedure costs more than Rs 50 lakh. Moreover, the child has to be on medication for at least six years. The monthly medical bill alone comes to about Rs 50,000," Ramanappa said even as Gnana Sai kept on crying apparently due to pain.

Ramanappa said he will approach the district court. "If needed I seek help from high court," he pointed out.