Ex-IMA head & noted doctor Aggarwal dies
Dr K.K. Aggarwal gained prominence with informative videos on corona
New Delhi: Eminent cardiologist and Padma Shri awardee K.K. Aggarwal, who gained more prominence with his informative videos about Covid-19 on social media, has succumbed to the deadly virus, according to a statement posted on his Twitter handle.
DR. K.K. Aggarwal was among the first frontline workers to take the first dose of the anti-Covid vaccine in January, which he revealed during a live video broadcast from his car.
New Delhi, May 18: Eminent cardiologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr K.K. Aggarwal, who gained more prominence with his informative videos about Covid-19 on social media, has succumbed to the deadly virus, according to a statement posted on his Twitter handle.
Aggarwal, 62, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here and was on ventilator support since last week. He died at 11.30 PM on Monday after a lengthy battle with Covid19, the statement said. He had received both the doses of vaccine. However, he had co-morbidities as he was suffering from Crohn’s disease and had pulmonary embolism three years ago, a friend said.
“The show must go on,” the former Indian Medical Association (IMA) president, who has been among the prominent faces of the medical fraternity, had said in his affable and unassuming manner in one of his last videos as he sat with a nasal cannula for oxygen support. “We have to get people out of this crisis,” he said, urging doctors to see more and more patients with similar symptoms at one go during teleconsultations. Aggarwal regularly posted videos raising awareness about the deadly virus on his Twitter handle and gave free consultations. His team at the Heart Care Foundation of India kept uploading videos about Covid-19 even while he was hospitalised.
The apex medical body IMA said his demise was “an unexpected and tragic loss” and held an online condolence meeting.
“Dr. K. K. Aggarwal was a true legend was an iconic figure in mass education and awareness. He served millions of lives and his services proved a guiding torch to all of us even during the pandemic... IMA is poorer by the loss,” it said in a tweet.
Aggarwal is survived by his wife Dr Veena Aggarwal, son Nilesh and daughter Naina. His wife, who was also Covid-positive, was admitted to Max Hospital, Saket and was discharged, according to a family friend.
People from all walks of life took to Twitter to express grief over the demise of the doctor who had touched the lives of many through social media during the pandemic.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was a “setback for the whole nation”. “He acted all his life for the health rights of common people especially poor, deprived n marginalised. A great human being. RIP! (sic),” the chief minister wrote on Twitter.
Aggarwal was among the first frontline workers to take the first dose of the anti-Covid vaccine in January, which he revealed during a live video broadcast from his car.
The video of the broadcast, however, went viral after he was interrupted by his wife’s call and their conversation was heard by the audience.