Yuvraj Dhobi, 19, brother of Narendra Dhobi, did not know anything about his older brother’s ailment and failed to understand why his brother was being denied treatment.
MUMBAI: Yuvraj Dhobi, 19, brother of Narendra Dhobi, did not know anything about his older brother’s ailment and failed to understand why his brother was being denied treatment at a civic hospital in Mumbai.
Narendra Dhobi was released by the Pakistani juvenile jail authorities on Wednesday after he was found HIV positive during the course of a routine medical check-up in Karachi. He was arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Services about three months ago after he strayed into Pakistani waters while fishing.
In Dhobi’s case, the ailment proved fortunate as in other circumstances, Indian fishermen languish in Pakistani jails for many years. He was also fortunate to not have been tortured there. Dhobi said that he heard horrible tales of how captured fishermen were asked to jump on sharp dry fish bones till they bled. “Fortunately, I never went through this, though many of my friends did,” he said.
Yuvraj, who belongs to the tribal community of Jambori village in Vapi, Gujarat, reached the city on Saturday. He had last met Dhobi four months ago when the latter was leaving for his fishing expedition from Porbandar. “We did not know that he was in Pakistan’s custody,” said Yuvraj.
Dhobi is usually away from home for 8-9 months before the monsoons. Hence, the family thought even this time he was busy fishing. There are many more fishermen languishing in the jails of Pakistan at this moment. Dhobi’s parents are still unaware that their son is battling a life-threatening ailment for the last five years. “This is the first time he has fallen ill in all these years,” said Yuvraj. Dhobi has also fallen prey to tuberculosis and is suffering from a severe urinary tract infection. “He is doing fine but his ailment is at an advanced stage,” said Dr AR Pazare, consultant physician and professor of medicine, KEM hospital.
“Doctors are taking good care of me now,” said Dhobi about the doctors of KEM Hospital, Parel. He had earlier alleged that the same doctors had ill-treated him and had forcibly thrown him out of the ward without providing any medical care.
Meanwhile, Dr ND Bhonsale, who is probing the allegations made by Dhobi, said that the report would be ready by Monday. “We have recorded the statements of the patients and the concerned doctors,” he said.
An insider, however, revealed that the doctor who told Dhobi that “KEM hospital was not a dharamshala but a private hospital” has been identified. “But authorities are trying to shield the doctor as they feel he did it unintentionally,” he said. Dhobi, however, is unaware of what HIV/AIDS is. “I want to go back to my village once I am fine,” he said.
d_sumitra@dnaindia.net
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