As Covid-19 warrior fights for his life, family begins to fund expensive treatment | Delhi News
New Delhi: Amit Gupta, a 39-year-old doctor working at a Delhi public hospital who was at the forefront of the pandemic fight, has been battling the deadly disease himself since April. His family is in urgent need of financial assistance and the Delhi government has said it will provide all the assistance needed.
Gupta was on Covid-19 duty at Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital before testing positive on April 22, a close family employee told TOI. He added that as no extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assistance was available in the capital, he had to be airlifted to Secunderabad after doctors advised a lung transplant.
“The family spent all their savings on his treatment. So far they have spent over Rs 1 crore. They also borrowed money from friends, relatives and others. They have not received any support from the government, but we keep our fingers crossed, ”the aide said.
Desperate for financial help, the family launched a crowdfunding campaign. Gupta’s family moved to Secunderabad to be with and support him. “We had to pay Rs 35 lakh to get him there, which included Rs 10 lakh for the ECMO and Rs 25 lakh for the airlift,” said the family aide.
“He is still on ECMO and his condition is somewhat critical. We can do a lung transplant if his fever stabilizes a bit. We’ll have a better update by tomorrow after doctors review it, ”said a spokesperson for the hospital where Gupta is being admitted.
On May 18, Health Minister Satyendar Jain provided support for the family. “I spoke to Dr Amit Gupta’s family. The Delhi government will cover the full cost of his treatment. Our Corona Warriors are our strength, ”he said.
A government spokesperson told TOI on Sunday: “The Delhi government stands alongside Dr Amit Gupta and his family. We are with them in this difficult time. The family financial assistance process is underway.
Sources said that while the government pays compensation if a doctor or Corona warrior dies in the line of duty, there is no provision for financial assistance for treatment. This is why it took a long time to come to the aid of Gupta’s family.
Gupta was on Covid-19 duty at Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital before testing positive on April 22, a close family employee told TOI. He added that as no extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assistance was available in the capital, he had to be airlifted to Secunderabad after doctors advised a lung transplant.
“The family spent all their savings on his treatment. So far they have spent over Rs 1 crore. They also borrowed money from friends, relatives and others. They have not received any support from the government, but we keep our fingers crossed, ”the aide said.
Desperate for financial help, the family launched a crowdfunding campaign. Gupta’s family moved to Secunderabad to be with and support him. “We had to pay Rs 35 lakh to get him there, which included Rs 10 lakh for the ECMO and Rs 25 lakh for the airlift,” said the family aide.
“He is still on ECMO and his condition is somewhat critical. We can do a lung transplant if his fever stabilizes a bit. We’ll have a better update by tomorrow after doctors review it, ”said a spokesperson for the hospital where Gupta is being admitted.
On May 18, Health Minister Satyendar Jain provided support for the family. “I spoke to Dr Amit Gupta’s family. The Delhi government will cover the full cost of his treatment. Our Corona Warriors are our strength, ”he said.
A government spokesperson told TOI on Sunday: “The Delhi government stands alongside Dr Amit Gupta and his family. We are with them in this difficult time. The family financial assistance process is underway.
Sources said that while the government pays compensation if a doctor or Corona warrior dies in the line of duty, there is no provision for financial assistance for treatment. This is why it took a long time to come to the aid of Gupta’s family.
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