Karnataka: 40-year-old Orthopedic doctor succumbs to COVID

Dr. Basavaraj was working as an orthopedic in ESI Hospital, Rajajinagar and he was tested COVID positive in September. His condition got critical when his oxygen saturation level fell below 90%.

Firstly, he was shifted to ESI Hospital and then to a private hospital near Marathahalli that same day. A week later, he was put on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support in a private hospital near Sheshadripuram.

However, he had already developed a multi-organ dysfunction and his lung condition deteriorated. The doctors intubated him as he had difficulty in breathing.

According to a report by TOI, ESI Hospital didn't provide remdesivir immediately, as the hospital had no stock. There was a delay in managing the drugs, which worsened his condition. His colleagues stated that it is a distressing fact for them as they had lost one of the doctors. The doctors are giving the best efforts to save people during such crucial times at the cost of some of their lives.

However, it is a fact that many medical units and faculties are careless about this situation still. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Commissioner for Health and Family Welfare, in an interview with TOI, said, " It's unfortunate we lost a doctor. We don't know why doctors take their own health lightly."

Also on the issue of lack of remidesivir drug supply he added, "ESI Hospital could have contacted the state health department for the drug."

He further emphasized on the fact that the state has enough supply of remidesivir.