Alapuzha: Following the Mathrubhumi report on the negiligence of responsibility of the Health Department in the case of a baby born with serious deformities in Alapuzha, Minister Veena George has come forward to promise that the State would take care of the entire expense for the treatment of the child who is now a regular patient at the Alappuzha Medical College. 

Mathrubhumi has reported that the hospital was charging money for the baby’s health check-ups and has collected Rs 250 twice for treatment.
Minister Veena George said, “The state facility needs to ensure free treatment to any one aged below 18 years. If any money has been collected, measures will be taken to return the same.” The Minister also stated the news from Mathrubhumi caught her eye only a short while ago. She also promised adequate actions would be taken in the child’s case.

The child’s father, Anish Muhammed, who supports his family by driving a taxi is the only breadwinner of the family. On the days the family visits the hospital, he loses his day’s pay. This condition got worsened when the hospital authority charged money in spite of the state government’s policies and prior promises to take care of Anish’s child.

The mother of the baby, who sought prenatal treatment at the Alappuzha Kadappuram Hospital, had earlier demanded action against the hospital's negligence. The baby's parents alleged that despite conducting seven scans during her pregnancy as per the doctors' instructions, the doctors were unable to detect serious defects in the baby. Following this, the police had registered a case against four doctors.

Anish said today (after the Minister’s statement) that the Medical College PRO contacted him. The PRO explained the money was collected because of miscommunication from an inexperienced trainee. The Hospital Superintendent has promised return of the money, he added. 

Anish further said, “The Minister had promised free treatment earlier too. But this is not the first time I have been asked to pay. But my bigger question is this - What action is being taken against the doctors who failed to detect my child’s issue in any of the scans they made us do? Are they even doctors? Since November 26th, I have been chasing this issue.They say a report is being made. But there is still no action taken on the matter.”