– Pervez Bari
Bhopal, Aug 27: Survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster in Bhopal, along with leaders of four organizations representing them, have strongly condemned the proposed merger of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) with AIIMS-Bhopal. They fear this move will severely undermine the specialized healthcare services currently available to the disaster victims.
During a press conference, the organizations revealed that they have written to the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, urging the government to abandon the merger plan. They argue that this proposal not only disregards the unique healthcare needs of the gas tragedy survivors but also violates a Supreme Court order safeguarding their medical care.
Rashida Bee, president of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, voiced her concerns, stating, “The proposed merger will inflict irreparable damage on the healthcare system designed for Bhopal survivors. A similar proposal was rejected in 2019 by a government-appointed High-Powered Committee, and it is baffling why it is being reconsidered now.”
Balkrishna Namdev, president of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogi Sangharsh Morcha, highlighted the existing challenges at AIIMS-Bhopal, which has been providing cancer care to survivors since January 2024 following a Madhya Pradesh High Court order. He noted that the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee has raised concerns about the lengthy waiting periods at AIIMS, Bhopal, which could worsen if the merger goes ahead.
Nawab Khan of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha pointed out that the proposed merger directly contravenes a 2012 SC directive, which ordered the Central government to elevate BMHRC into an autonomous teaching institution to ensure high-quality care for gas victims.
Nousheen Khan of Children Against Dow Carbide criticized the lack of consultation with survivor organizations regarding the merger, stating, “It is shocking that the officials pushing this thoughtless proposal have not bothered to consult those whose health and lives are at stake.”
The survivor organizations remain resolute in their opposition to the merger, emphasizing that the health and well-being of thousands of gas tragedy victims must not be compromised.
