Bhubaneswar: Another person who had tested positive for Covid-19 a month ago was shifted to a private hospital outside the State for ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) treatment on Sunday.
Debakant Pradhan, a resident of Hindol in Dhenkanal district who had been under treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar since June 10, was airlifted to Chennai today. He will be admitted to the MGM hospital there for ECMO treatment, family members said.
The Commissionerate Police created a green corridor to facilitate the smooth passage of the critically ill patient from the private Hospital to Biju Patnaik International Airport for airlifting.
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Pradhan belongs to a middle-class family and it will be impossible for his family to bear the treatment expenses outside, family members said.
“I admitted him on June 10 for Covid treatment. Initially, he was in the general ward and later shifted to ICU as his condition didn’t show any sign of improvement. As his condition further deteriorated, he was put on ventilator. Now, doctors advised us for ECMO treatment,” Debakant’s wife said.
“I have already spent Rs 30-40 lakh in the month long treatment. Now, I have nothing more to support his treatment cost. I am shifting him to Chennai today for better treatment. I request all with folded hands to extend some financial help for the treatment of my husband,” she added.
The family also appealed the government to lend a helping hand for his treatment. “We don’t belong to an affluent family. We request the government and public to help us in such critical time. The treatment would cost around Rs 1 crore which we can’t afford,” a relative of Debakant said.
Prior to Debakant, a number of patients from the State had gone to outside states for the costly treatment.
The Odisha government has also initiated process to introduce the ECMO treatment in the State. Tender for the procurement of ECMO machine has already completed. Required man power has also been appointed.
Recently, an ECMO machine has been installed at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and the treatment will begin from next week.