33-YEAR-OLD RANCHI DOC DIES OF COVID-19
RANCHI: Ranchi-based 33-yearold Dr Sirajuddin, who treated several Covid-19 patients since the outbreak of the pandemic last year at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), died on Monday morning after battling for 20 days with the deadly infection.
Dr Siraj, who was a final year student of diploma in tropical medicine at RIMS, died at Medica Superspeciality hospital in the capital city.
RIMS junior doctors’ association secretary Dr Anitesh Gupta said Dr Siraj, while performing his duties in RIMS Covid ward, contracted the contagion nearly 20 days ago. “Since there were no beds available at RIMS, he was admitted to the nearby Aalam Nursing home. His condition deteriorated further and on advice of senior doctors, he was recently shifted to Medica.”
Dr Gupta, however, charged the RIMS management for maintaining a callous approach in Dr Siraj’s treatment. He alleged, “We met top officials twice and requested them to shift Dr Siraj back to RIMS, but to no avail. After repeated requests, two senior doctors from RIMS were sent to Aalam Nursing home for examination. On their advice, he was shifted to Medica, which is the only hospital in Ranchi with ECMO facility.”
Dr Siraj was survived by his wife and three children. “His family also struggled financially as they could not afford to pay bills of the two hospitals. All of colleagues of Dr Siraj financially contributed for his treatment, but no help poured in from the institution, where he was studying and serving to treat Covid-19 patients.” Dr Gupta said.