We often hear that private hospitals refuse to treat patients who cannot afford the hefty amount of treatment fee. However, this is not without exception as for some private hospitals and their doctors it is the life of patient that matters the most rather than money.
One such example of standing true to human values is Aakash Healthcare, Super Specialty Hospital located in Dwarka Sector 3. Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director and Orthopaedic consultant at Aakash Healthcare gave a new lease of ife to the 13-month-old child.
It all happened nearly two months ago on the very first day of the opening of hospital when a poor father came running in distress to the doctors with his 13-month-old toddler who went unconscious after drowning in a bucket filled with water. According to doctors, the child had collapsed due to water entering his lungs with almost no pulse and blood pressure.
“As it was an emergency case we immediately put the child on ventilator and also on life saving medicines. Our efforts were fruitful as the child started responding slowly, and in 5-6 days came out of the acute situation. He was kept on life support system,” said Dr Chaudhry.
He said, “even after the child started responding, we did not refer him to Government hospital, as we know that the child will not get the due attention.”
“I know that his father is a poor vendor and will not be able to pay our bill. But I have made my mind and decided to treat the child free of cost,” said Chaudhry. He told that total cost of about Rs 2 lakh was incurred on child’s treatment.
Recalling the nightmare, Feroze Ahmad, the father of child, told The Pioneer that after his child drowned, his face completely turned black. Feroze, who sells juice to earn his living, said that before going to Aakash Healthcare he went to another private clinic nearby where doctors took the child out of ventilator once they came to know that he will not be able to pay their bills. I went to Aakash Healthcare where doctors treated him like their own child.”