By Arré Bench Apr. 09, 2020
Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, an Indore physician, who tested positive for the new coronavirus four days ago, has died. It is unclear how he contracted the disease.
In what could possibly be the country’s first causality among frontline workers, a 62-year-old general physician from Indore has died because of the new coronavirus.
Dr Shatrughan Panjwani had tested positive for Covid-19 four days ago. He died at the city’s Aurobindo Hospital, but it is unclear how he contracted the virus. He is survived by his wife and three sons, all of whom are in Australia.
Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, 62, a general physician,tested +ve for Covid-19 four days ago in Indore has died . This is the first case in India where a doctor died of the virus.
He is survived by his wife and three sons, all of whom are in Australia.#FightingCOVID19 #CoronaWarriors— Dipanshu Kabra (@ipskabra) April 9, 2020
“It appears that he had come in contact with a coronavirus patient during treatment. We are trying to trace the source of infection,” Indore’s chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Dr Praveen Jadia.
According to colleagues, Dr Panjwani was a man with a big heart. His patients mostly included people from slums and he waived off fees for those who couldn’t afford it.
Tributes poured for the doctor from all quarters, as the country mourned the death. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted, “A great man like you will never be forgotten.”
दूसरों के अमूल्य जीवन की रक्षा और #COVID19 के विरुद्ध युद्ध लड़ते हुए बलिदान हो जाने वाले डॉक्टर शत्रुघ्न पंजवानी जी की आत्मा की शांति के लिए हम सब प्रदेशवासी ईश्वर से करबद्ध प्रार्थना करते हैैं।
आप जैसे महामानव को कभी भुलाया न जा सकेगा।
विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/VqTzT2MZVI
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) April 9, 2020
“India will remember your sacrifice,” said under secretary at MEA, Barkha Tamrakar.
Dr. Shatrughan Panjwani laid his life to the service of the nation ; may his kind soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
India will remember your sacrifice. #IndiaFightsCorona
https://t.co/THL5x8QnU7— Barkha Tamrakar IFS (@BarkhaTamrakar) April 9, 2020
Citizens’ Task Force described it as a supreme sacrifice fighting for the health of all of us.
Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, a General Physician in Indore, died of COVID-19 today morning at 4 AM.
Our condolences to him. He made the supreme sacrifice fighting for health of all of us! pic.twitter.com/rDAtidMdfp
— Citizens' Task Force (@CitizenT4ce) April 9, 2020
Some questioned the state apparatus, and asked why the health minister or prime minister had not yet addressed the nation in spite of the surge in cases and deaths.
First doctor has died in Indore from COVID19. Health Minister & PM yet to address a briefing.
Cases have crossed 5000. Deaths have crossed 150.
Here's what happened in today's briefing
— Vidya (@VidyaKrishnan) April 9, 2020
Others asked the million-dollar question: Where are the PPEs?
What we all feared has come true. First doctor has succumbed to Corona in India
Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, who was a family physician and lived in Rupram Nagar of Indore, had tested positive last week and passed away this morning.
PPEs ….. Where are they!! pic.twitter.com/BHUaZcPooh
— Madhav Mantri (@madhavmantri) April 9, 2020
“We must keep demanding that those who protect us are equipped,” said one user.
In Indore the first doctor casualty has happened. Dr Shatrughan Panjwani. Resist despondency and keep demanding that the our doctors and medical staff who are fighting for us must get equipment. We MUST fight distractions.
— Anupam Guha (@Anupam_Guha) April 9, 2020
Indore is one of the worst-affected cities in Madhya Pradesh with 213 COVID-19 cases and 22 deaths resulting from the contagion, according to The Economic Times.
The shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the country has been a major concern, as doctors and healthcare staff in many parts of the country have had to go into quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. At a time when we need all hands on deck, India cannot afford to shut hospitals like it had to do in Mumbai – Wockhardt and Jaslok hospitals – after medical staff tested positive for Covid-19.
Let’s just hope Dr Panjwani’s death is an eye-opener.
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