“Provide us treatment or grant us mercy killing.” That’s what patients suffering from ‘Handigodu’, a rare joint disorder, plan to ask the chief minister and the State Human Rights Commission. The Handigodu patients’ welfare association has decided to send a representation to this effect to the CM and the commission. A rare joint disorder leading to crippling and permanent disability, ‘Handigodu’ — named after a village near Sagar in Shivamogga — was first noticed in 1974. The cause of the disease has remained unknown to the medical community. Those affected suffer from low immunity, crippling and require physiotherapy.
According to the association, there are over 300 ‘Handigodu’ patients in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts and most are from the Chalavadi and Channaiah communities (Scheduled Castes). The patients are immobile due to dwarfism, joint pain and weakness. Many can’t even crawl on their limbs and are dependent on their families. The patients have been demanding a pension of Rs 5,000 per person per month.
“There are many children who have kept away from school after they were diagnosed with the disorder. Scientists from Indian Council of Medical Research have also done research on us, but that has not helped improve our condition; we continue to suffer as our health is deteriorating. The government should either provide us medical help and get us physiotherapy or grant us permission to kill ourselves as the disorder has crippled our lives,” said Rajendra Bandagadde, 54, president, Handigodu patients’ welfare association.
Rajendra was infected with the disease as a 20 year old and has been immobile since. Patients say that no government scheme has brought relief to them and the government has failed to contain the spread of the disease.
All the affected patients are unemployed and can’t move around. They require crutches, tricycle, wheelchair, knee pads and wrist pads.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/handigodu-patients-to-appeal-for-mercy-killing/articleshow/66888479.cms
