Biopsy result delayed, beloved daughter's life lost; dancer Sandra's mother still weeping

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tears that rolled down Smita Salim's cheeks on the twelfth floor of the flat in Kazhakkoottam were hotter than the scorching sun beyond the balcony. Her daughter Sandra Salim, who flew to Canada with many dreams, died of cancer 26 days ago. She went to a hospital in Canada for abdominal pain and did not receive proper treatment. She had to wait eight months for the biopsy result of the ovarian cyst!

While studying for Plus Two, Sandra was the star of CBSE arts festivals and a contestant on Amrita TV's Super Dancer Junior. Sandra Salim's YouTube channel is still filled with the magic of those steps. Tens of thousands of fans on Instagram are in shock over the death of the 27-year-old.

Sandra came to Canada in 2021 after completing four years of studies at Kannur NIFT and working for two years in Bengaluru. Her goal was a Diploma in International Business Management. Her husband Rishikesh Sudarshanan, a mechanical engineer, was also with her.

One year after arriving in Canada, Sandra started having stomach pains. An ultrasound scan revealed an ovarian cyst. A 22 cm tumour was removed during surgery and the ovary was removed. The first biopsy revealed that it was not cancer. Smitha's brother Praveen had died of lung cancer in his forties. When told about this, she was told not to be afraid. After the surgery, she returned to her normal life, started a dance academy and became active in dance and studies. One day, Sandra was brought to the hospital after suffering from back pain, and a tumour was found in the MRI. The orthopaedic specialist was an Indian doctor. It was he who informed Sandra that the tumour had spread to the spine.

Although she underwent emergency surgery, the cancer had affected her internal organs. A biopsy result of the ovarian cyst was obtained only after spinal surgery. By that time the cancer had reached the fourth stage. Sandra was brought to Kochi Amrita in August 2023. She was given 3 chemos and 13 radiations but it was too late.

Sandra's family is from Calicut. Father Salim Bawa runs a business in Saudi. Her brother Sherwin is a plus-two student.

The family is seeking legal recourse against the negligence of the hospital. Smita says that this is so that no child who goes to study abroad would face this situation. Sandra's family has the support of Malayalee organizations including the Samanwaya Cultural Association in Canada.