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Journalism of Courage
At the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Parel,Central Mumbai,staff and even some patients are waiting anxiously for the Supreme Court to deliver its final verdict on Pinky Viranis euthanasia plea on behalf of KEM nurse Aruna Shanbaug. The verdict,expected on Monday,promises to put an end to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the nurse,now over 60,who has been lying in the hospital since 1973.
Shanbaug has been in Ward Number 4 of the civic-run KEM hospital since November 23,1973,when she was attacked and raped by a ward boy at the hospital who had a personal grudge against her. She had just finished her shift that night and was preparing to go home. The attack left Shanbaug paralysed; she also lost her ability to speak . The case sparked off a strike of nurses in Bombay who began demanding better working conditions.
We are a little tense because the decision could affect us directly. Whatever happens it will have an effect on our heart, said a senior nurse at the hospital. We love her and especially feel we must look after her since she doesnt have any relatives or friends visiting her. We are doing our duty,but we also feel that she belongs to us and we must take care of here, she said.
Over the last four years,all of Shanbaugs batchmates have retired and moved on. But taking care of Shanbaug has more or less become institutionalised at the hospital. Shanbaugs family abandoned her,but the staff of KEM stepped in. We are continuing with our work and duty and that includes her care, said Dr Sanjay Oak,Dean of KEM.
KEM nurses say that Shanbaug is conscious and aware and able to respond partially,especially when she is fed fish. We take turns to look after her over three shifts in the ward,a nurse said.
At least the nursing staff have a clear opinion on the plea for euthanasia for Shanbaug. The nurses opinion will never change on this. We can never support a plea for euthanasia for her, said one of the nurses.
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