‘It’s a crime to be poor’: Couple seeks help for second child’s surgery after losing first

Nine-year-old Daksh, who has been battling multiple medical complications since birth. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

It's a crime to be poor in our country," said a tearful Nutan Zatale. Having already lost one child to medical tragedy, Nutan and her husband, Sharad, are now at a breaking point, struggling to fund a life-saving MIC-KEY Button surgery for their nine-year-old son, Daksh. The couple, who survive on unpredictable odd jobs, have drained their entire life savings. "We are literally living in an ‘aaj kamaya toh aaj khaya' situation," said Sharad.

Nutan and Sharad Zatale with their son Daksh. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

In Nashik, the Zatales' first son succumbed to multiple organ failure at six-and-a-half years old. Nutan recalled the nightmare began with simple tiredness after school. "It quickly spiralled into water in the lungs and a persistent fever that medical efforts couldn't break. "Despite all efforts, we lost him," Nutan recalled. Now, with Daksh's surgery scheduled for this week, the couple is desperately pleading for help.

Medical struggles

The couple's grief was soon met with fresh challenges following the birth of their son, Daksh. At just six weeks old, he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome - a condition Sharad claims was never mentioned by their gynecologist during the pregnancy. "Since then, the hospital visits have never stopped," he said.

Daksh was immediately moved to the NICU for ten days to treat breathing complications. He was later diagnosed with a urinary tract abnormality and spina bifida (L5). To prevent life-threatening infections, he underwent a major ureterostomy at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital, where surgeons created an opening near his kidney to allow him to pass urine.

Desperate plight

In 2021, the Zatales uprooted their lives in Nashik, moving to Mumbai to secure better treatment for Daksh. The transition has been a financial freefall. Sharad, who spent 20 years at an automobile parts company, saw his PF dwindle to Rs 50,000 after multiple medical withdrawals. Nutan's gold jewellery - their last safety net - was sold for Rs 45,000. Today, the family's survival rests on Sharad's meagre earnings as a car cleaner in an Airoli housing society.

Scan the QR code to support the Zatale family in funding Daksh's crucial surgery

"We barely manage our daily needs. His diapers alone cost around Rs 6000 per month. For the upcoming surgery, we need at least Rs 1.2 lakh upfront. We approached NGOs, trusts, and even Wadia Hospital, but everyone said this was too small an operation to fund. Is it really small when my son's life is at stake?", Sharad said. With their savings exhausted and the surgery scheduled for this week, the Zatales are running out of time and options.