Bolangir, Oct 6: For the family of Sampad Bariha, life has become a daily struggle for survival. With the family's sole male earning member bedridden for the past seven years due to paralysis, his wife and two daughters are struggling to make ends meet while also caring for him.

Sampad, a resident of Ainlatunga village under Patnagarh block of Bolangir district, has been suffering from paralysis for nearly seven years. His prolonged treatment has exhausted the family's savings and reportedly left them with little to fall back on.

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With Sampad unable to work and his wife unable to leave him alone for long periods, the family has virtually no regular source of income. Whatever little work is available in the village is not enough to sustain the household, leaving the family dependent largely on government-provided rice.

For some days, the family manages with the rice they receive through government assistance. On other days, they are forced to seek help from others. At times, the situation becomes so difficult that the family has to go without food.

Thatched Hut That Offers Little Protection

The Indira Awas house allotted to the family several years ago has deteriorated significantly and is no longer considered suitable for living. When Sampad was still healthy, he had constructed a small thatched-roof house beside the old structure and the family moved there.

But years of neglect and the lack of money for repairs have now left that house in a similarly precarious condition.

During the day, the family struggles with the heat, while at night, the damaged roof offers little protection. With no financial resources to repair or rebuild the house, they continue to live in difficult circumstances.

Treatment Halted Due To Lack Of Money

The family's financial condition has also affected Sampad's medical treatment. According to the family, his treatment has remained largely halted for around a year because they can no longer afford the expenses involved.

The family is now seeking an Antyodaya ration card, a disability pension for Sampad, a new house and further medical assistance.

“Neither can I leave my husband and go for work. We survive with whatever people give out of sympathy. I have two daughters and they also toil for their father’s treatment and to run the family,” said an emotional Sadani Bariha, Sampad’s wife.

Family's Appeal For Help

Fellow villagers sympathised with Sampad’s family and urged the government and administration to extend all eligible welfare benefits to Sampad's family and facilitate further medical treatment for him.

Patnagarh Block Development Officer (BDO) assured the family that eligible government assistance will be provided following verification.