Karnataka doctor treats Covid patients for free

At a time when the rest of the country is grappling with a crisis over beds, medicines and oxygen, 46 COVID-19 patients who needed special attention are currently getting treated at Kumar Hospital in Tumakuru's Tipatur city free of cost.

Tumakuru (Karnataka): At a time when the rest of the country is grappling with a crisis over beds, medicines and oxygen, 46 COVID-19 patients who needed special attention are currently getting treated at Kumar Hospital in Tumakuru's Tipatur city free of cost.

Dr Sridhar, who owns the hospital, has reserved 76 beds to treat COVID-19 patients. Currently, 46 COVID-19 patients with certain complications are being treated here. Free food is being provided to them and their relatives.

Beds, nursing service, oxygen and meals are being provided free of cost. Certain medicines, too, are given for free, sources said.

Notably, Dr Sridhar had foreseen a situation of lack of oxygen and hence he set aside 60 oxygen cylinders, which are now being put to use.

In order to ensure the patients do not panic, Dr Sridhar wears only masks even while attending to them and not a PPE kit.

As not all COVID-19 patients require hospital care, only those in need are admitted here while others are sent for home isolation.

"This is not the time to make money. Treating patients should always be a doctor's first priority," Dr Sridhar said.