Etah Boy, 10, Carries Mother's Body Alone for Post-Mortem After TB, HIV Death
A heartbreaking scene unfolded in Etah district on Thursday. A ten-year-old boy brought his mother's body alone for a post-mortem examination. His mother had died during treatment for tuberculosis and HIV at a district hospital.
The young boy sat beside his mother's covered remains for hours. He had no family members with him. Neighbors and relatives did not come forward to help. Local police finally stepped in to assist with arrangements for the autopsy and cremation.
A Child's Lonely Vigil
Hospital staff placed the woman's body on a stretcher. They accompanied the boy to the post-mortem facility. People at the hospital described the child staying close to his mother. His eyes were swollen from crying. He refused to leave until officials arrived.
"When Papa got AIDS, everyone stopped speaking to us," the boy told reporters outside the post-mortem house. "I used to go to school when he was alive. After his death, I had to stop. I looked after Mummy."
The boy's father died the previous year. He also succumbed to HIV. The family faced severe social stigma after the diagnosis.
Medical History and Treatment
The 52-year-old woman received treatment at Veerangana Avanti Bai Medical College in Etah. She died on Wednesday night. Her son said she had been taken to Kanpur and Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad for care.
"My uncle didn't even know she died," the boy revealed, highlighting the family's isolation.
District health officials acknowledged the case. They confirmed the woman completed tuberculosis treatment in 2017. Officials stated she received all available government aid at that time.
"She was cured and discharged," said Etah chief medical officer Dr Rajendra Prasad. "We gave her all the benefits that government provides. We are now reviewing the present situation."
Police Intervention and Family Response
Local police intervened after residents alerted them. Jaithra SHO Ritesh Kumar took action. "We were informed that a child was alone with the body," Kumar said. "I sent a sub-inspector and a constable to the spot. The boy had no one. We arranged for her last rites."
As word spread about the situation, a few distant relatives eventually appeared. An uncle came from Kasganj, about sixty kilometers away. Only then did the boy allow himself to rest.
The incident raises serious questions about social support systems. It highlights the challenges faced by families dealing with HIV and tuberculosis in rural areas. The boy's ordeal underscores the need for better community response mechanisms during such crises.
