The close-knit Malayali community of Hamilton is in the close huddle to plan next course of action on supporting the wild-boar eating Indian family.
The case of Husband and wife Shibu Kochummen, 35, and Subi Babu, 32, and Mr Kochummen's 62-year-old mother, Alekutty Daniel, has shocked the community and the medical world of New Zealand ever since erupting on the national scene last week.
The trio in the family has gone unresponsive after eating the meat of a wild boar obtained from a local hunting trip.
The family continues to remain in “unresponsive and vegetative” state on the 13th consecutive day even as their relatives arrived from India on Tuesday, November 21.
The children aged 7 and 1 escaped the misery as they were the only one in the family who have not consumed the meat of the wild boar.
One of the close friends of the ill-fated family, Joji Varghese, told The Indian Weekender that Mr Kochummen's sister and Mrs Babu's brother had arrived from India early Tuesday morning to help support the couple's two children.
The kids have so far been looked after by the friends, members of the community, and the Hamilton Marthoma congregation.
The two kids, visibly appearing distressed after the prolonged absence of their parents were seen hugging the relatives.
The relatives were also reported to be “shattered” after seeing the “unresponsive” condition of their family members.
Doctors treating the family have suggested that the patients are responding to the medicine for botulism – a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves, often causing paralysis.
However, nothing can be said with certainty until confirmed by the speciality centre in Queensland, where blood samples have been sent, and which can take weeks.
It is not clear how long it’s going to take for the recovery of the suffering family if at all full recovery was possible.
In this regard, there is also concern about the future well being of the children and the ability of relatives of the family to sustain in New Zealand.
“We are meeting soon to discuss and plan our future course of action on how to continue supporting the family,” Joji Varghese, one of the friends and the spokesperson of the ill-fated family told The Indian Weekender.
Hamilton Kerala Samajam is also rallying up to generate support for the family.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Ansil, the President of Hamilton Kerala Samajam also said,” Right now our main concern is financially supporting the visiting relatives in New Zealand.”
“The spokesperson of the family has emailed the association and other members of the community requesting financial support,”
“Right now we are doing everything possible to provide support to the kids and visiting relatives of the ailing family,” Ansil further added.
Indian Consular visits ailing family
Meanwhile, Honorary Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon had earlier visited the family on Saturday, November 18, meeting with the doctors, concerning officials of Waikato Hospital, along with close friends and members of the Malayali community in Hamilton.
“This is an unfortunate incident.
“We remain deeply concerned and are keeping a close eye on the recovery process,” Mr Dhillon said immediately after the visit to Waikato Hospital.