Ahmedabad: Somabhai Rathod, 38, from Odhav suffered major renal damage after he drank hooch last week. On Sunday, he underwent haemodialysis and enjoyed a nutritious meal on his plush hospital bed. Rathod and three other patients have been transferred to the swanky new Anandnagar facility of Shalby Hospitals because of their need to undergo dialysis. They were brought from Shardaben and LG Hospitals as the two centres were not equipped for performing dialysis.
Other private hospitals that have come to the rescue of hooch victims are Medisurge and Apollo, since government hospitals do not have enough dialysis units. Going by the rules of the hospital, their families were not allowed inside hospital premises. This is in contrast with the crowded, noisy hospitals from where they have been shifted. Patients here received 'high-class' treatment, as Rathod puts it, with each patient being given individual attention.
Same is the case with Mahipatsinh who is waiting for his wife to come and see him. "The facilities are excellent, so are the nurses and doctors. I was battling death earlier but am much better now," said a content Mahipatsinh, who was brought to Shalby on Saturday. He has a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter and swears he won't touch country brew again.
Overcrowded hospitals are directing kidney patients to private hospitals to reduce fatalities. "These patients are in dire need of intensive health care services under a critical care specialist and a full-time nephrologist. The idea is to monitor them closely and stabilize their condition," said Neeraj Lal, vice-president, Shalby Hospital.
Given the fact that haemodialysis is essential to reduce methanol levels in the body - it brings about severe brain, respiratory and retinal damage - this is a crucial step to save more lives. "Although these patients were close to complete kidney failure, they are doing better now. We are hopeful," said Dr Rupen Panchal.