The Mother NGO at St Stephen's Hospital recorded the deaths, but it couldn't document those deaths that were reported directly to the police. While this showed the absence of an official mechanism to coordinate between different sources when it comes to recording deaths, the study also brought to the fore the need for a uniform system to take care of the homeless.
Many more are dying on the capital's streets and many need immediate intervention, as revealed by Delhi Police data from five districts.
Over 6,800 deaths on the streets of Delhi, including those of the homeless and unidentified persons, have been reported between 2007 and 2011. This information was provided by the police in reply to an RTI application filed by activist S A Azad from the Campaign for Rehabilitation of Homeless People.
The St Stephen's hospital data reveals that cold is not the only thing killing those on the streets. But it is certainly a trigger that aggravates latent ailments among the homeless, estimated to be anywhere between 60,000 and 1 lakh.
Tuberculosis, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and respiratory problems are some of the unattended yet treatable illnesses that are claiming the lives of those sleeping rough on the streets. The absence of Delhi government-driven health facilities is seen by NGOs as a cause for concern.
Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board CEO Shakti Sinha told TOI that he will discuss the matter with the health secretary to make provision for mobile clinics. "We will also step up rescue operations through the MNGO from December 1," he assured.
Tuberculosis tops the list when it comes to common causes of deaths as per the MNGO data. Of the 92 dead, 22 were suffering from severe tuberculosis. In 12 cases, excessive drinking has been blamed for accelerating death. Nine deaths have been attributed to cold. The causes of death vary for the others, ranging from asthma, mental illness to weakness and burn injuries.
"These deaths include cases where either the rescue team of the MNGO found the person in distress on the street or reached him through calls made to the homeless helpline. The list has cases where homeless persons died in hospitals after being rescued or succumbed to a long-drawn illness at a night shelter. The list also has deaths where the cause is unknown," Dr Javed Khan from St Stephen's said.
He pointed that the analysis reflects that those on the streets need better access to medical facilities and more focused rescue operations supported by the state.
Paramjit Kaur from Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan who has been leading a community outreach clinic near Jama Masjid for over 11 years points that chest infections including tuberculosis are most common among the homeless. "Poor nutrition increases chances of TB. Skin infections and occupational problems like aches and pains are other concerns," Kaur added. She feels that state intervention in providing health facilities to the homeless to prevent deaths is the need of the hour.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by human rights forum of NGOs under the banner of Shahri Adhikar Manch: Begharon Ke Saath cites the police data on 6,800 deaths to drive home the need for development of a line of accountability for such deaths and to prevent further deaths.
The activists have also demanded that the Delhi government develop and implement a human rights-based long-term plan for the city's homeless, which includes creation of adequate permanent shelters.
According to Indu Prakash Singh from Indo-Global Social Service Society, the police data of 6,800 deaths of homeless and unidentified persons is alarming and needs to be studied in detail. "Also adequate response from NHRC, National Commission for Women and Delhi Commission for Women is the need of the hour including provision for disaggregated data on homeless persons, protecting the rights of the homeless and their rehabilitation and housing," he added.
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