Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura (SP)

Vijayapura, Mar 28: A poor Hindu family decided to get converted into Christianity in order to pool money needed to provide treatment to their child who is suffering from Thalassemia, a rare disorder. Now, the BLDE Hospital has extended its helping hand to this family.

Eranna (34) from Basava Bagewadi works in a Dhaba. Because of utter poverty, the family was in a fix as they did not have any avenues to pool so much money. Eranna, who visited different states for the treatment, has spent three lac rupees so far.

Reports said that a hospital in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, came forward to help the family on certain conditions which included offering prayers in the church for a period of two months. It is said that the family had taken a decision to undergo religious conversion for the treatment of the child.

Eranba said he couldn't get financial support to treat his child as his monthly salary is just Rs 12,000. He said half of his salary goes towards the treatment of his son. He revealed that during his visit to a hospital in Vellore, the hospital promised to arrange for treatment of his son including Rs 10 lac needed for the bone marrow transplant. The hospital asked him to offer prayers in the church on a daily basis. "They also spoke about religious conversion. On the basis of their promise, I decided to get converted. I have three children including two daughters," he said.

In the meantime, Congress legislator M B Patil, who is the president of BLDE Association, who learnt about the crisis the family was facing, instructed the officials at the said hospital to extend free treatment to the boy. Based on this assurance, the family has changed its decision of embracing Christianity, it is learnt.