An Indian family in New Zealand that was left paralysed due to suspected botulism after eating wild boar meat may have to pay a massive medical bill after the country’s Accident Compensation Commission rejected their claim for a payout.
Shibu Kochummen, his wife Subhi Babu and Kochummen’s mother Alekutty Daniel fell seriously ill last month and remained paralysed for many days after they ate wild boar meat following a hunting trip on November 10 in Auckland.
The trio is recovering in an Auckland hospital after being conveyed there in an unresponsive condition over a month ago, and have now regained consciousness.
Though Kuchummen (35) and his wife Shubhi Babu (33) are permanent residents of New Zealand and their medical treatment is covered by the public health system, Daniel (62)is in the country on a visitor visa and would incur a medical bill running into six figures.
A family spokesperson said the Accidents Compensation Commission informed the family they did not qualify for compensation, Fairfax Media reported.
Joji Varghese said an ACC case manager said the ingestion of bacterium is not considered an accident unless it is the result of a criminal act.
"The verdict is broken down already - they won't pay out. It's absolutely ridiculous. I can't understand the logic behind it,” Mr Varghese told Fairfax Media.
Health authorities have sent the samples to Queensland, Australia for testing to confirm the family suffered from botulism- a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium.
On November 10, Alekutty Daniel fell unconscious soon after eating wild boar meat. Kochummen also lost conscious while on a call with emergency services.
After over a month in the hospital, Kochummen and Daniel have begun to walk with assistance. But Babu is making a slow recovery.
Initially, there were fears of the trio becoming permanently vegetative.
Though they are recovering, Kochummen and Babu have lost their memory and struggle to remember anything up until they had their last meal at home.
The concerned minister did not comment on this case citing privacy reasons but said he was open to examining the case again.
An online campaign has been started to help the family.
