Money collected for medical aid swindled: Patient dies without treatment

KAYAMKULAM: Forty six-year-old Rajesh from a poor family died on Wednesday after heart transplantation surgery could not be conducted on him for want of money. Shockingly enough, the money collected for the purpose was swindled by two labour union leaders who had come up with fund-raising plans on the pretext of helping Rajesh.

Rajesh, a resident of Pathiyoor Eruva Sivam house, died at a private hospital in Ernakulam. He, who was a labourer in a stone crushing unit, had been under treatment since 2012. He sold out his 5-cent land and house to treat his ailment. When the hospital demanded Rs 15 lakh for operation, many friends and locals rushed to him with financial aid. But, when that money was also not enough for the operation, two labour union leaders appeared in the scene, opened a joint account and started collecting money from the people.

Rajesh’s wife Sunila says not a single penny from the account reached their hands, though lakhs where collected. Later, based on her complaint police arrested Prabhakaran, one of the leaders.
    
His family is now getting ready to give a complaint to the home minister, in this regard. Abhishek and Adhithya are the couple’s two children. 

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