Date:02/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/02/stories/2007010219860300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Injured boy made to run around for treatment

Staff Reporter

His parents had to take him to five hospitals in the city

Mallappa was hit by a vehicle while playing near a pavement

Accident took place at 9 a.m., he received treatment at 6 p.m.

Bangalore: A seriously injured boy was reportedly made to run around to five hospitals before he finally received treatment much later in the day.

Three-year-old Mallappa, son of a construction worker Guruappa, was playing near a pavement on Kanteeravanagar on Sunday, when a van ran over him, smashing his thigh.

His distraught parents rushed him to K.C. General Hospital, where he was referred to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences as it was an accident case. Mallappa's parents were asked to take the child to Vani Vilas Hospital, from where they were sent to Victoria Hospital. The child was then referred to Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital, where apparently the absence of a surgeon made the authorities refer the child back to Victoria Hospital. "At Victoria Hospital, the authorities said that we could take the child to Jayadeva Hospital. When we asked for a reference letter because the parents are very poor, they asked for a BPL ration card," said Kamala.

The family did not have a BPL card and finally after much persuasion, the child was admitted to Victoria Hospital, she said. Though the accident took place at 9 a.m., the child received treatment only around 6 p.m., she said.

Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Ashok Kumar said the condition of the child is stable and he has been shifted to paediatric ward of Vani Vilas Hospital. "The child has a d-glove injury. The accident has stripped the thigh tissues of the child and exposed its arteries," said Dr. Kumar. Plastic surgery has been ruled for now as the wound has been contaminated, he said.