Months after a 38-year-old woman from Kerala’s Alappuzha district underwent chemotherapy based on a false medical report, the Kerala government during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday has decided to give an amount of Rs 3 lakhs as compensation to the woman.
The incident came to light in June this year after Rajini, who had to undergo chemotherapy without suffering from cancer, filed a complaint with the state Health Minister KK Shylaja, following which the government ordered for a probe into the incident.
It all began on February 28 when the 38-year-old sought treatment at the Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Kottayam regarding a growth on her right breast. However, a biopsy conducted in a private lab claimed that she is suffering from cancer following which she was subjected to chemotherapy by the Kottayam MCH officials. But the doctors soon recognised the mistake when she lost her hair completely after a single session of chemotherapy.
Speaking to TNM on Wednesday following the cabinet decision, Rajini said, “I’m happy that the government has decided to help me with financial compensation but what I need the most now is a job.” She goes on to add that following the treatment, which had affected her physically and mentally, she had sent a petition to the Kerala Chief Minister and the state Health Minister requesting for a job. “They have not said anything about that yet,” said Rajini, who used to work at a textile shop before her treatment.
Rajini was administered with the first round of chemotherapy on March 19, the results for which came out on March 27 - stating that the growth wasn’t malignant. According to reports, she had lodged a complaint with the MCH superintendent and an inquiry was conducted into the matter, which proved that she was not having any cancerous growth. The same was confirmed by the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram as well. Meanwhile, her growth was removed in May this year through surgery.