Sri Vijaya Puram, July 3: The family of a passenger critically injured in the June 30 STS bus accident near Rangat has appealed to the authorities for compensation and financial assistance, stating that treatment for his severe spinal injury requires referral to a hospital outside the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, placing an unexpected financial burden on the household.
Prakash Roy was among the 11 passengers who sustained injuries in the Rangat STS bus accident and were shifted to G.B. Pant Hospital for treatment. According to his family, doctors have informed them that he suffered a serious spinal injury, including a fractured backbone, and that the required surgery cannot be performed at G.B. Pant Hospital.
The family said Roy has now been referred to a hospital outside the islands for advanced medical treatment.
According to the family, while the Ayushman Bharat scheme is expected to cover part of the medical expenses, it does not include several essential costs associated with treatment outside the islands. They said expenses such as travel, accommodation, food and other day-to-day requirements would have to be borne by the family.
The family further stated that Prakash Roy is a retired employee and that his retirement benefits are the primary source of income supporting the household. They said he has three daughters who are dependent on him and that the sudden medical emergency has placed the family under severe financial strain.
Seeking immediate intervention, the family has urged the concerned authorities to provide compensation and financial assistance to help meet the expenses of treatment outside the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They said such support is necessary to ensure that Roy receives timely medical care.
The family has also alleged that the June 30 Rangat STS bus accident occurred due to the negligence of the bus driver and has called upon the concerned department to accept responsibility for the incident.
They have demanded that compensation be provided to cover the basic costs arising from the referral for treatment outside the islands, maintaining that the financial burden extends beyond hospital expenses and includes essential costs that are not covered under existing healthcare schemes.
The appeal comes as the family continues to arrange for Roy’s transfer for specialised treatment, while seeking government support to manage the financial challenges resulting from the injuries sustained in the June 30 Rangat STS bus accident.
