Cong-led UDF retains Vengara Assembly seat in Kerala, BJP finishes fourth

Mumbai, June 9: A 45-year-old doctor posted in the 108 ambulance service at Malad railway station in Mumbai died of COVID-19 after two hospitals refused admission, in spite of the fact that he was a frontline warrior against coronavirus.

The victim is Dr Shaukat Ali, who was working with the 108 ambulance service for the last four years. A few days ago, he got his blood tests done after his health deteriorated. The result stated typhoid fever following which he started getting treatment at home in Malwani.

Ali's family ran from pillar to post to get him hospitalised in either a private or government hospital, to no avail.

"On Friday, his condition worsened and he started feeling breathless. Despite us calling the 108 ambulance service, no one picked up the call. So after waiting for a while, I and uncle's colleague, Dr Nigam, rushed him to SK Patil hospital in Malad East in an auto. But they refused us stating they were admitting only COVID-19 patients.”

“Then we took him to Desai Hospital, where doctors were initially ready to admit him but later refused stating lack of beds. They said we could take him home as his condition was fine," Zubair Shaikh, Ali's nephew said.

"But his condition worsened. So, I called Dr Nigam and we managed to admit him in Shatabdi hospital. On Sunday, when his results came out stating that he had COVID-19, doctors had already put him on a ventilator, where he passed away in the evening," he added.

Zubair further said, "Had the doctors at Desai Memorial Hospital admitted him, my uncle would have been alive today. It is a matter of great regret that a doctor, who was risking his life during this pandemic, could not get help from his own government hospitals."

Ali's wife and his two children's are in UP, while he was staying with his elder daughter who had recently appeared for HSC exams and preparing for NEET.

Mangaluru, Jun 3: The district administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod have issued standard operating procedures (SOP) for the movement of people between two neighbouring districts that fall under two different states.

Even though thousands of people used to commute between these two districts due to employment, education and other reasons every day, the travel has been banned for over two months due to covid lockdown.

Dakshina Kannada DC Sindhu B Rupesh has assured that travel passes will be issued for working professionals/students who have to commute every day.

Those who wish to travel to DK district from Kasargod have to register on https://bit.ly/dkdpermit for daily pass.

The pass applicant should mention the travel destinations, and the complete work address in DK. He/she should also upload Aadhaar card, proof of workplace. On receipt of the applications, the AC of Mangaluru division will issue the pass which will be valid till June 30.

The DC said that the pass details will be recorded at Talapady check post daily. Those who fail to report during the exit from Dakshina Kannada will be subjected to quarantine by the taluk administration and penal action will be initiated as per Epidemic Act, she warned.

Thermal screening of all persons entering DK will be conducted at the checkpost. Only those who are asymptomatic will be allowed to enter.

As per the SOP issued by Kasargod District Collector, those who wish to commute between these two districts have to register in COVID-19 Jagratha portal under the emergency pass category and the applicant has to mention the reason as “inter-state travel on a daily basis."