Purushottam Kumar from Bihar, a critical Covid-19 patient who was admitted to the Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand, for nearly two months, has been impressed by the facilities offered at the government-run facility after he recovered.

“Had I not experienced it myself, I would never have believed that a government facility can offer such excellent treatment to a critical patient,” said 34-year-old Purushottam after being discharged from the hospital on Saturday where he was admitted in the ICU since May 2, a span of 56 days.

Purushottam, a resident of Nawada in Bihar, had tested Covid-positive on April 22. “I got myself admitted to a local hospital on April 27 when my fever didn’t subside,” he said.

“When my lungs were found to be infected badly and I needed oxygen support, the attending doctor advised me to shift to a better facility,” he said.

“I got admitted to a private hospital in Ranchi on April 30 but my oxygen saturation level started dropping. My condition did not improve despite paying around Rs 25,000 per day,” he added.

“My relatives then came to know about Dr Ajit Kumar of Sadar Hospital (in Ranchi) and approached him for help,” Purushottam further said.

“He was in a bad condition with chest infection and poor oxygen saturation when he came here. He was admitted in the ICU on arrival,” said Dr Kumar, adding that all necessary medicines were provided immediately to the patient.

“But still he didn’t improve much and his oxygen saturation level started dropping alarmingly when he was put on non-invasive ventilation,” the doctor further said.

The patient was on ventilator for 25 days, often with deteriorating condition when the medical team had to stay beside him till small hours of the day, he added.

“However, his condition started improving slowly. He was taken out of ventilator support after 25 days and put on high-flow oxygen support that was also gradually reduced and finally withdrawn,” Dr Kumar said.

“I desperately wanted to remain alive as I have two small kids to look after,” Purushottam said, adding that his strong will and the care provided by the doctors and other hospital staff gave him a fresh lease of life.

“I would never have believed that a critical patient could get such treatment at a government hospital and also return home after recovery until I experienced it personally,” he further said.

“Words would short fall in praising and thanking the doctors and all others who gave me a second life,” he said.