Teen waits for surgery

The Child Welfare Committee here is in a dilemma over an abandoned teenager, whose maggot-infested foot must be amputated to save his life, but his parents cannot be located to give their consent for the surgery and be available for post-operative support.

N. Chandrasekar (17) was first found begging outside the golden temple in Vellore, when passersby complained about the foul smell emanating from his foot oozing pus. Then began his journey from Vellore to the Ranipet government hospital, to the CWC home in Bangalore, and to the government boys’ home at Royapuram, in Chennai. “He was taken to Bangalore because he claimed that his parents lived in Kamakshipalaya, but the CWC workers were unable to locate it.

Since he spoke fluent Tamil, they brought him to Chennai,” said Dr P.Manorama, the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee.

Chandrasekar immediately underwent a medical examination, from which the doctors learnt it was a case of chronic oesteomyelitis (bone infection) and that his leg needed to be amputated below the knee. “The CWC will bear the treatment expenses, but we would be grateful if some specialists could lend their expertise for the operation,” she said.

anorama, the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee.

Chandrasekar immediately underwent a medical examination, from wich the doctors learnt it was a case of chronic oesteomyelitis (bone infection) and that his leg needed to be amputated below the knee. “The CWC will bear the treatment expenses, but we would be grateful if some specialists could lend their expertise for the operation,” she said.