Khammam rat-bite incident: Legal Services Authority visits BC Gurukul

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretary and senior civil judge, KV Chandra Shekar Rao, on Wednesday visited Mamata General Hospital where the Class 10 student, Bhavani Keerthy, was being treated for rat bite and loss of sensation in her legs.

Khammam: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretary and senior civil judge, KV Chandra Shekar Rao, on Wednesday visited Mamata General Hospital where the Class 10 student, Bhavani Keerthy, was being treated for rat bite and loss of sensation in her legs.

He interacted with the doctors and the student to learn about the incident. He also visited the BC Welfare Hostel at Danavaigudem in Khammam where the student was studying and took stock of the situation. The doctors, who were treating the student, informed the media that she was not able to stand on her legs when she was admitted and was now recovering slowly, but sensation in her legs has not returned. It could have been caused due to administration of multiple doses of vaccine, they said. As per available medical records the student was administered two doses of anti-rabies vaccine and Tetanus Toxoid (TT) injection and there were no records of other doses even as the student claimed that she was administered vaccine doses 15 times.

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Police were deployed at the Gurukul, preventing parents, activists of student organisations and media. Several parents reached the Gurukul on Wednesday to check the condition of their children but were not allowed inside. A woman came to the Gurukul from Ranga Reddy to take her daughter’s transfer certificate as she completed her studies but she was not allowed to enter the institute. She told the media that her daughter was also bitten by rats one year ago, however her daughter did not inform them at that time.

Former MP Nama Nageswara Rao responding to the incident demanded the State government to ensure better treatment to the student. He expressed concern that students were facing health problems due to lack of proper infrastructure and quality food in Gurukul hostels. It was very sad that a student was hospitalised due to rat bites. The government should pay special attention to the cleanliness and quality of food in Gurukul hostels and should not neglect the health and safety of students, he said.

Social activists and student organisations also demanded the State government to ensure better treatment to the student.