Kaduthuruthy: A clinic will be set up at Thrikkunnapuzha, Alappuzha district, in memory of Dr Vandana Das, who was stabbed to death while on duty at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in Kollam. 

“Thrikkunnapuzha is an area where many of the poorest reside. Vandana had come here to spend her vacation at the family home near the National Waterway. After completing her MBBS, she had a strong desire to treat the poor, both here and in Attappadi,” said K.G. Mohandas and Vasanthakumari, parents of Vandana. The inauguration will be conducted by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on October 10.

“We have lost our daughter, and our lives will now be her memories. We will fulfil her wishes. Her memory must live on, and that’s why we are establishing this clinic,” said the couple. The building spans 2,000 square feet, and it has the potential to be expanded into a hospital in the future. The couple revealed that Vandana’s classmates have also agreed to visit the clinic to provide free treatment. 

On October 11, at 9 a.m., Union Minister Suresh Gopi will inaugurate a free medical camp here. The clinic will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vandana Das

Vandana was the only daughter of K.G. Mohandas and Vasanthakumari, hailing from Muttuchira, Kottayam. She completed MBBS from Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Kollam. 

She fell victim at the hands of the accused at the Emergency Department of the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital, where she was working as part of her internship training. The accused, who was brought to the hospital for a medical examination pushed Vandana to the floor and violently stabbed her multiple times using surgical forceps.

The trial for the case is currently ongoing at the District Sessions Court in Kottarakara. 

“We have faith in the court proceedings, but we haven’t received adequate support from the government. We hope no one else faces the ordeal that our daughter went through,” said Vandana's parents. 

They urged for the trial proceedings to be completed swiftly and for the maximum punishment to be ensured for the accused. They also mentioned that they have not yet received the Rs 25 lakh compensation announced by the government.