Indian in coma for two years sent back home

ABU DHABI — Little would have Velukutty Chandran realised that he was heading home, when he boarded Gulf Air flight 463 yesterday evening accompanied by a medical team.

By Anjana Sankar

Published: Thu 3 Nov 2005, 9:23 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:34 PM

The accident victim, who has been in a state of coma for the past two years, was repatriated to Trivandrum, Kerala, by Sevanam, a charity organisation.

Khaleej Times had, a month ago, exposed the plight of Chandran who was run over by a speeding car in April 2003 while working as a newsboy for an Arabic daily. He sustained severe head injuries and fractures in the legs, hand and scapula and has been lying in a state of coma at the Al Jazeera Hospital ever since.

Chandran is yet to receive the Dh4,45,000 compensation, which has been delayed due to a legal wrangle, legal sources said.

Sevanam office-bearers who were at the Abu Dhabi airport to oversee the arrangements, said that on arrival at Kerala, Chandran's life-long medical expenses would be taken care of by Velappilly Nadeshan, a prominent social activist and politician.

"We are happy to have accomplished the task of repatriating him home, though after much difficulty. After completing the legal procedures, we could not find a doctor for almost two weeks who was willing to accompany the patient, who is on gastronomy feeding tube and has been medically dubbed 100 per cent disabled," said Saju Edakkattu, Sevanam Secretary.

"That problem was solved when Dr Mohammed Bashir from Sunny's Medical Clinic agreed to escort Chandran on his journey," he added.

Chandran's peculiar medical condition deems it necessary to have a doctor and nurse on board in addition to other medical equipment. Sevanam bore the cost of the ticket, around Dh18,000, and other expenses in addition to collecting over Dh10,000 in cash to be paid to his family.

The organisation, which has branches all over the UAE, has also decided to take up the cause of Chandran's entire family comprising his wife who cannot speak, and a son and daughter.

"We are planning to sponsor a visa for Chandran's son and also to sponsor the education of his daughter considering the pathetic condition of his family," Sevanam President Rajendra Prasad said.