Mumbai puts balm on acid attack victim

Rekha Mahanavar, who alleged negligence by Pune doctors, will get free treatment at Asia's biggest burns hospital

A day after Rekha Mahanavar (35), an acid attack victim, claimed that she was prematurely discharged from Pune's Sassoon Hospital, she was offered free treatment at Asia's biggest burns hospital in Mumbai, thanks to MiD DAY's intervention.

After learning of her predicament MiD DAY contacted Dr S M Keswani, burns and cosmetic surgeon at National Burns Hospital in Airoli, who immediately offered to treat Rekha for free. On Nov 17, Rekha was admitted to Sassoon Hospital's burns ward for acidu00a0 injuries, allegedly inflicted by her husband Ganesh Chinayya.

However, she was discharged on Jan 1 after her estranged husband extorted pressure on hospital authorities to discharge her, she claims. "My husband was in magistrate custody and got himself admitted to Sassoon on the pretext of surgery. Later, he put pressure on doctors and got me discharged as he had vowed to make me suffer," alleged Rekha, who had suffered 28 per cent burn injuries.u00a0

u00a0Sassoon Hospital authorities told MiD DAY that Rekha was discharged after treatment for one and half months.

"Rekha was given adequate treatment and was discharged when she was completely fit. Her allegations are baseless," said Dr P S Pawar, medical superintendent.

Meanwhile, when MiD DAY broke the news to Rekha about the medical help she was jubilant. "I am so relieved.

Thank you, so much. I can't believe my luck," said Rekha.

Dr Keswani said, "I will see to it that Rekha is completely healed and offer her the best possible treatment."

Aseem Sarode, advocate and director of Human Rights Law Defenders, said, "Unlike the West where they believe in rehabilitating a victim, here the government hospitals are shooing them out. Thankfully, there are a few good hearted private doctors like Dr Keswani who have come forward to offer help."