The condition of the five persons being treated at different hospitals here for exposure to the radioactive material Cobalt-60 was critical, doctors treating them said on Friday.
Admitted to Apollo Hospital on April 4, which informed the government that he had suffered radiation, doctors said, the scrap dealer Deepak Jain's bone marrow is significantly suppressed and his condition continues to be serious.
At present he is in the ICU and a multi-disciplinary team of doctors is monitoring his progress.
Jain's relative Rajesh said: "His health began deteriorating 10 to 20 days ago. He complained of nausea and headache. At first he was admitted to Kalra hospital, but due to unavailability of funds we shifted him to AIIMS. He was turned down there and finally with help from neighbours he is undergoing treatment at Apollo."
He added, "I had also heard doctors say this is no disease that could be treated. It was an effect of coming in contact with a contagious metal. People from BARC were expected to come and none have turned up yet. I do not think so he will be able to even afford the bone marrow treatment that has been advised by doctors here."
Four of Jain's scrap shop employees are undergoing treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital.
"Their condition is very serious. Their platelet count has come down extremely. They went blank and out of their senses. Their skin had also turned black. It had started with their nails first," medical superintendent, DDU hospital, said.
