Life changed for Arul in 2013 when he learned that his kidneys were failing. The only options before him were either to undergo dialysis for the rest of his life or to get a kidney transplant. He opted for the former and was a regular patient in Chennai’s Stanley Hospital for dialysis, but things took a turn for the worse in 2014.
32-year-old Arul, a resident of Krishnagiri, was one of the 18 patients who had contracted the Hepatitis C Virus during routine dialysis in the hospital. While the patients were helpless, NGO Arappor Iyakkam helped them to fight their case against Stanley Hospital for medical negligence in court and the patients received an interim compensation of Rs 5 lakh. For Arul, whose parents are daily wage labourers, this amount came as a huge relief. The Hepatitis C Virus infection made his condition worse and him being in good health was imperative for the financial stability of his family.
Five years later, Arul is again in hospital — Apollo Hospitals this time — for a kidney transplant.
Speaking to TNM from the hospital, Arul says that his surgery was successful. “I got a new kidney on July 5 and have been staying in the hospital since then. The doctors have said that I will have to stay here for a month after the surgery. I want to get completely cured but my parents cannot afford to pay for all this. For my dialysis and associated health issues, they had to sell our cattle to get money. Things can get better only if I get out of this hospital, debt-free, and start working,” he said.
Arul and his family need close to Rs 6 lakh to pay for his surgery and hospitalisation costs after the transplantation and are seeking help to help them tide over this troubled time.
You can donate and help Arul here.