NUH, HARYANA: In the wake of the communal unrest that swept through Nuh, Haryana, the region became the focal point of violence, resulting in a devastating toll on lives and property. It also caused significant disruptions to essential public services, including public health centers. In these trying times, marked by extended curfews and internet bans lasting for weeks, individuals requiring urgent medical assistance, such as pregnant women and those with severe injuries, faced formidable challenges. Among those affected is Afsana, a mother of four and a cancer patient who encountered substantial difficulties during the prolonged curfew in Nuh, Mewat.
Afsana began experiencing intense abdominal pain in October 2022, initiating a prolonged journey through various medical assessments and uncertainties. Initially, doctors suspected tuberculosis, but they did not rule out the possibility of cancer, causing the family many sleepless nights. Eventually, a specialized hospital in Jaipur provided the diagnosis of cancer. Afsana and her family found themselves shuttling between Jhajjar in Haryana, Jaipur, and AIIMS Rishikesh for diagnosis and treatment plans. Even after it became clear that Afsana had cancer, the doctors were unsure about its location and severity. Despite this confusion, Afsana had to undergo five sessions of chemotherapy. These sessions were halted when the pain didn’t subside, and the treating doctors referred her to AIIMS Delhi for another consultation to reach a final diagnosis before proceeding with treatment.
Her consultation with AIIMS, New Delhi, to ascertain the location of her cancer was on July 31st—the day when the murderous clashes broke out in Nuh. Recalling the unbearable ordeal his wife went through, Afsana’s husband, Shaukat, told Health On Air, “On July 31st, we were stopped at Civil Lines and sent back to Mewat. Thereafter, for almost two weeks, our consultations kept getting delayed even as my wife’s pain was becoming unbearable by the day.”
Despite the setback, Shaukat, unable to bear his wife’s pain, persisted in his attempts to reach Delhi. His relatives, however, advised him against venturing out in the charged atmosphere, saying: “Firstly, you have a beard, and your car’s number plate is from Nuh; you will get caught. Please don’t go.” After multiple appeals, he eventually secured an appointment for August 7th, which was again canceled. Finally, they managed to secure one for August 17th.
Finally, AIIMS Delhi diagnosed her with gallbladder cancer, and she is currently undergoing treatment. Afsana says she will never forget the ordeal of those three weeks when she was left in deep pain and despair for no fault of her own. She believes that better health measures should be provided to people during emergencies like curfews.
Afsana’s story serves as a poignant reminder that public disorder is not solely a matter of law and order; it can also have dire consequences for those in urgent need of healthcare. We often remain unaware of the countless individuals suffering and, tragically, succumbing to their illnesses due to the unavailability of critical medical assistance in such times.
