Chhattisgarh Woman Seeks Nod For Euthanasia From PM Modi

A 26-year-old woman suffering from cerebral palsy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow her euthanasia. She said that lack of good treatment options was hampering her from fighting against the disease.

Content of the letter

"Either provide me treatment so that I can lead a life of dignity or allow me euthanasia as I have failed to fight against my physical disorder and despite completing graduation, I am of no help to my old father," Sunita Mahant wrote.

Hailing from the tribal Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, Sunita is currently in Delhi with her elderly grandmother to meet the Prime Minister

How the problem got worse

Sunita was undergoing physiotherapy at a primary health centre in Kunkuri block. The centre was at a stone's throw from her home. Things got worse after she clicked photographs of the poor sanitary conditions of a toilet at the health centre and forwarded it to Jashpur collector.

The centre refused her treatment from the very next day. She was referred to a hospital 42 km away citing lack of resources at the health centre.

Also: Elderly Couple Pleads For Active Euthanasia, Raising Questions

Help by district administration

When contacted, Jashpur collector Priyanka Shukla said the district administration was doing everything to ameliorate her situation.

"I had got her bus passes prepared for hassle-free travel. The social welfare team is in regular touch with her. They are counselling her and finding out ways to provide her aid," the collector said.

Sunita told TOI that she was being given treatment for polio until she was finally diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 21. She also explained how it is very difficult for her to travel 42 km every day to Jashpur hospital as her health is deteriorating. It has been more than six months that she was denied physiotherapy.

Monetary help not enough

She was given a monetary help of Rs 1 lakh but that's not enough as the treatment is continuous and costly. Everyone told her that PM Modi can solve her problem. That's when she decided to meet him.

According to Sunita, she is a burden upon his father as he spent all his earnings for her treatment. She couldn't do anything for him despite being a graduate.

She believes that the struggle she is undergoing to receive her mandatory treatment is more painful than death. Her dire circumstances have compelled her to write this letter to the Prime Minister.

Also: Supreme Court Gives Legal Sanction to Passive Euthanasia