Chennai: Coming to the rescue of a six-year-old child, who is struggling for life without treatment after the immunisation injection given when he was six months old, resulted in contusion and ultimately turned out to be cancerous growth, the Madras high court has directed the Erode district collector to take the child, after getting consent from his parents and admit him at the Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai, for treatment at the cost of the government.

Taking cognizance of a newspaper report on this issue, a division bench comprising Justices S. Nagamuthu and Anita Sumanth said, “Since the child requires immediate medical care and protection under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and since this court being a Constitutional court to protect the life and liberty of individuals, we are forced to initiate suo motu habeas corpus proceedings to protect the child”.

The bench directed the Chairman, District Child Welfare Committee and District Collector, Erode, to immediately visit the parents of the child and persuade them to admit the child in Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai and asked them to make necessary arrangements for the parent’s accommodation in Chennai during the treatment period. The state health secretary was asked to ensure the child is provided treatment at the cost of the government. In the event parents not willing to consent to the treatment of the child, the same should be recorded and provided to the court on the next hearing date on March 27.

“As per the news report child was hardly six months old, when an immunisation injection, which left a contusion on the thigh where the injection was given. Today the contusion weighs about 3 Kg and is cancerous. Poor parents have no further means to provide any treatment” the bench added.

The bench said despite various laws on child rights, it was unfortunate that this child was unable to get treatment for the cancerous growth for about 6 years.

The pain of the child and his parents would certainly shake the conscience of anyone. The Haves, should have concern for the Have-nots was the message.

This story of the child was heart-rending, the bench added and initiated suo moto proceedings.