This doctor offered emergency services to poor amid pandemic

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 19

At a time when most of the private hospitals were shy of opening services amid the Covid-19 threat, Dr Raman Gupta, MS, FCCS, a general surgeon, offered all emergency services at his Gupta Hospital in Chabbal, Tarn Taran, during the lockdown period.

Dr Gupta is the only specialist, who has been serving in this border belt for the past 18 years. He has been rendering free OPD services in his hospital. “How could I afford to shut down operation in this hour of crisis for my patients, who mostly hail from the border belt? I could well image the inconvenience they faced in emergency amid movement restrictions. So, it was my moral duty to open all types of emergency services. I also performed unavoidable surgeries during the lockdown,” he said.

Associated with several NGOs, Dr Gupta’s benevolent and philanthropic nature and attitude have always helped the needy in whatever way possible. He is a former president of Rotary Club, Amritsar (West). But, he is an active member of the club. He is also the district president (medical wing) of the International Human Rights Organisation and life member of Indian Medical Association.

Dr Gupta said he never charged any admission and consultation fee. “The OPD is totally free and no consultation fee is charged from any patient in my hospital. Actually, most of the patients I cater to belonged to the border belt, which is already reeling under an economic crisis. The patient is administered medicine in the hospital itself at nominal charges. There is only exception if I do not have a particular medicine, which the patient will have to purchase it from outside,” he added.