Union Carbide disaster survivors stage sit-in for clinic’s FCRA

Members of the Union Carbide Poison Victims Healthcare Rights Front began an indefinite sit-in on January 1, 2025, to demand the immediate FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration of the Sambhavna Trust Clinic. The clinic, providing free healthcare to Union Carbide disaster survivors for 28 years, has been forced to close due to the FCRA registration delay, preventing the Trust from receiving international donations.

For many survivors, the clinic’s closure has cut off access to vital care. The FCRA registration is crucial for the clinic, as it allows international funds to support its operations. Without these donations, the Trust can’t continue its services, putting many survivors’ health at risk.

A statement issued by the Union Carbide Poison Victims Healthcare Rights Front on the first day of the protest said, "The indefinite sit-in is a direct response to the government's failure to grant FCRA registration to the Sambhavna Trust Clinic, a lifeline for survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, providing them with essential healthcare for over two decades. We demand immediate action to ensure the clinic's reopening so that thousands of victims don't suffer without treatment."

On the first day of the protest, survivors, long-term patients, and clinic staff gathered to voice their concerns. Chandrahas Shukla, a journalist and patient at the clinic, emphasised the Sambhavna Trust’s critical role in the community. He called on the government to expedite the FCRA registration so international funding can resume and the clinic can reopen.

Ravishankar Tiwari, a Union Carbide disaster survivor, shared his experience of seeking treatment at multiple hospitals before finding relief at the clinic. His story echoed the experiences of many others who benefitted from the Trust’s specialised care.

Nasreen, a member of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, joined the protest, highlighting the clinic’s importance to survivors and their families. She underscored how the clinic has been a lifeline for those struggling with the gas leak’s long-term effects.

Satinath Sarangi, a consultant for the Sambhavna Trust, hopes the clinic will reopen soon, thanks to the strong support of the survivors and the commitment of its 52 staff members.

Survivors and their supporters demanded immediate government action to ensure the clinic’s continuation. Without the Sambhavna Trust Clinic, many survivors will lack essential healthcare.

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