Ghaziabad: A family from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh is watching a piece of their heart move away from them. Such a disease which threw the son on the bed and made him unable to get up again. A mother’s heart sank after seeing her son lying in a vegetative state like a tree for 13 years. The aging bones no longer had the capacity to raise a son. I started losing strength to take care of myself and in such a situation I had to go to court. The son whom I nurtured in my womb for nine months. Watched him grow up for 19 years. All the things from his childhood to adolescence and then adulthood are now floating before his mother’s eyes. Because, now the son who was lying like a tree on a bed in the house is no more. Has been admitted to AIIMS. We are talking about Harish Rana, resident of Rajnagar Extension, Ghaziabad. The son, whose life was revolving around Ashok Rana and Nirmala Rana for 13 years, is no longer at home. To complete the process after the Supreme Court’s order on Harish’s euthanasia petition. Mother is emotional. When childhood memories float in the eyes, tears well up. She breaks down into sobs while talking about her young son lying helpless on his bed.
Harish was lovely at home
Harish was beloved in Rana’s house. When he was older, he also used to do mischief. Whenever his mother started scolding him, he would hide in a corner of the house. Then he comes quietly. He would hug his mother. Starts caressing her face. Mother gets emotional remembering those moments. She says it was our first child. He was the one who got the most pampering. Mother says that he has been lying on the bed for years. There are wounds at many places on the body. We used to clean it every day. Like a small child. Like we used to do in childhood. Now his suffering is not visible. So, with a heavy heart we allowed him to go. I pray to God to free my son from this pain.
Was born in 1993
Harish was born on 12 September 1993 in Delhi. Nirmala Devi tells that the house echoed with happiness when the son was born. Sung songs at home. He has never been stubborn. Used to understand when explained. He was of cheerful nature. He used to laugh himself and make others laugh too. After completing 12th from Delhi, I went to Chandigarh to fulfill my dream of civil engineering. Mother says that 21st August 2013 was the day that destroyed my world. There was news of the son falling from the fourth floor of the PG. Doctors said that it could not be cured. Our heart did not agree. We got treatment everywhere. Tried everything including fasting, worship, but the son could not recover.
asking for death is not easy
The family struggled a lot to take care of their son who was battling for life for 13 years. Money was spent on treatment, but hope kept falling. Ultimately, the parents filed for euthanasia. Harish’s treatment cost around Rs 70 thousand every month. During treatment, the ancestors’ house and land were all sold. Even a three-storey house in Delhi was sold. After the Supreme Court’s decision, father Ashok Rana had said that it is very difficult to see his child suffering like this every moment.
Process started in AIIMS
After being admitted to AIIMS, the process of euthanasia of Harish Rana has been started. AIIMS management has formed a committee under the leadership of a doctor expert in anchoanesthesia and palliative care. Doctors from many different departments are also included in this. Under the supervision of this committee, Harish’s health care and the orders of the Supreme Court will be implemented. According to the senior doctor, the palliative care ward has a facility of six beds. Evaluation of Harish’s health has been started. The doctor will decide the further procedure.
According to the doctor, there is a tube inserted in Harish’s throat. He breathes through this. This tube was inserted 13 years ago while providing ventilator support. This tube has been in place since then. No artificial support has been provided for breathing. He is able to breathe on his own. They are given nutrition through a tube placed in the stomach. Also, he has been put in a catheter. Harish’s life support equipment will be removed in a phased manner under the Supreme Court’s March 11 approval of passive euthanasia.
Doctors and nursing staff at AIIMS are taking care of Harish Rana. Doctors say that he will have palliative care in the hospital. No active treatment or ventilator support will be given to save his life. In palliative care, the patient has to be given relief from pain or any kind of pain. In such a situation, Harish is expected to remain admitted in AIIMS for several days.
