₹1 crore ex-gratia for family of Lok Nayak doctor who died of Covid-19
nNEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced an ex-gratia amount of ₹1 crore for the family of Dr Aseem Gupta, a professor of anaesthesiology and in-charge of Lok Nayak Hospital’s first Covid-19 intensive care unit, who died of Covid-19 on Sunday, describing him as a doctor known for going out of his way to serve his patients.
“Dr Aseem Gupta, a senior doctor of LNJP Hospital, succumbed to Covid yesterday (Sunday). He was known for going out of his way to serve his patients. We have lost a very valuable fighter. Delhi salutes his spirit and sacrifice. I just spoke to his wife and offered my condolences and support,” Kejriwal tweeted on Monday.
Expressing his condolences, lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal said, “Deeply saddened at the death of Dr Aseem Gupta of LNJP who served tirelessly in fight against Covid-19. He was a great warrior who brought glory to the front line doctors and health workers. My utmost sympathies are with family members!”
Gupta, who joined Lok Nayak hospital’s anesthesia department in 2004, was admitted to Max Smart Hospital, Saket, on June 8. The 54-year-old had been in the ICU for almost two weeks.
His wife, Nirupama Gupta, is a radiologist in Ghaziabad. The couple has two sons, one of whom is studying in Australia and other is studying in Dehradun.
Dr Gupta’s colleagues in the anaesthesia department at Lok Nayak remember him as a person who was there for everyone.
“He would work extra hours so that surgeries are done on time. He was also quite popular among resident doctors and spent time with them, which was apart from usual work-related conversations,” said associate professor, Dr Amit Kohli.
Some friends called him ‘Mr Dependable’. “I knew him for 20 years, and he was absolutely dependable,” said Dr Vinay Agrawal, past national president, Indian Medical Association.
“I will always remember Aseem fondly. For so many emergency cases, he would reassure me the case would go smoothly,” recalled Dr Amit Gupta, professor, department of surgery, AIIMS.