When life is more painful than death

Every once in a while, the debate around euthanasia or mercy killing gets revived. The debate gets particularly intense in the light of developments in the medical field or when you hear about critical cases where death seems to be the only logical option.

Doctors at Wadia Hospital in Parel (Mumbai) are faced with an unusual request from a one-year-old’s parents — they want the boy’s life terminated medically.

Mahesh Pujari’s father Sangappa and mother Anusuya have moved a petition with the collector seeking permission to let doctors terminate their child’s life. Modern life science calls it euthanasia. For Sangappa and Anusuya it’s a nightmare they must live.

Mahesh suffers from hydrocephalus — excessive accumulation of water in the head that has retarded the growth of his brain to such an extent that it is impossible for him to comprehend anything. He does not recognise voices, nor does he react to touch. There is a big bulge at the back of his head.

And that is not all, the boy suffers from another congenital defect — Thoracolumbar. In layman’s language, his spinal cord is useless. Which means he cannot even sit up without support, let alone stand or walk. The boy does not have any control over his bladder and this is not going to change as he grows up.

“I cannot see my child in such pain. It kills me when I think he will have to live with this pain all his life. I want an end to his pain…I want his life terminated,” says Anusuya, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sangappa, who lives with his wife and child in a small room in Juhu, is employed in the construction industry. “I am a small contractor. I have exhausted all my savings in treating Mahesh. I know what a horrific demand we are making…who would want his one-year-old put to death. But I do not have any option. I am told euthanasia is illegal in our country. But isn’t my son’s life more painful than death?” he said.

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