Indian gov't to bear all expenses of dead Cameroon scholar

A day after a Cameroon-based research scholar, who had come to Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) for studies died during treatment in a hospital here, the secretary of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, called up the university officers and took information of the case.

“The secretary of DBT called me up and took details of the case. He also sought to know the well being of the newborn baby, who was delivered by the deceased, Desiree Kamga, before her death,” said Anil Kumar, head of School of Biotechnology (DAVV).

He said that the secretary informed him that the Central government has decided to bear all the expenses including medical treatment of the deceased and the newborn.

Kumar said that Kamga had come to his department to pursue a sandwich programme as part of her PhD studies.

She was expecting and was admitted to Apple Hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl. After the delivery her condition worsened and she was shifted to Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science (SAIMS) where she breathed her last.

A post-mortem was conducted on her body under the supervision of a district administrative officer on Wednesday even as Banganga police registered a case against zero in the incident. Her body has been preserved at SAIMS’ mortuary so that it could be handed over to her family members on their arrival in the city.

Indian embassy in Cameroon in contact with Desiree’s family: Anil Kumar said that Indian embassy in Cameroon is in contact with the family members of Desiree. “The embassy officials have informed Desiree’s family members about her death and they are in the process of issuing visas to them,” Kumar said adding that one of her friends who was pursuing identical sandwich course in Vellore in Tamil Nadu has arrived in the city.

“Her friend was contacted by DAVV students after which he arrived in the city to look after the infant till her family arrives here,” Kumar said. He also stated that the secretary of DBT informed him that the government of India would instruct the Indian embassy in Cameroon to issue visa to the deceased’s family without much ado.

Baby is healthy, under observation : The baby girl delivered by the scholar is healthy and getting treatment in Apple Hospital. She is admitted to the Neonate Intensive Care Unit of the hospital and is under observation of the doctors.

“The baby is in the NICU and is under observation. We will discharge her in the next couple of days and will ask DAVV officials about whom the baby is to be handed over to,” hospital administration said.

Embassy asks DAVV to obtain birth, death certificates: Indian Embassy in Cameroon has asked DAVV officials to get the death certificate of Kamga and birth certificate of her baby prepared so that when her family arrives in the city they need not have to run from pillar to post for the certificates.

“As we are not members of the deceased’s family it will not be easy for us to get the certificates prepared easily from the Indore Municipal Corporation. We sought help of the district administration in the matter. If the rules are relaxed the certificates will be prepared quickly,” Kumar said.