One month back, Kader Shaikh, a 63-year-old businessman from Surat, Gujarat, tested COVID positive. His treatment in a private hospital was expensive, it cost him lakhs of rupees. And suddenly he began to wonder about the people who could not afford such treatment.??
According to an Indian Express report, as soon as he was discharged, Shaikh decided to take a step at helping out. He had his office of 30,000 square feet into a COVID-19 facility where the poor could get treatment. 85 beds were provided.?
He signed an agreement with the Surat Municipal Corporation to provide medical staff and equipment at the facility with 15 ICU beds in Surat¡¯s Adajan area.?
Surat Municipal Commissioner BN Pani and SMC Deputy Health Commissioner Dr Ashish Naik had a look at the hospital and approved the idea.?
It is named Hiba hospital, after Shaikh's granddaughter.?
¡°This hospital is for everyone, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. I was not born with a silver spoon in spoon in my mouth. I also faced financial problems in earlier days and I worked hard, now I am financially sound. So I thought of lending a helping hand to the needy during this global pandemic. My three sons and I have always helped poor people¡ Now I felt I should do something more. Hence the hospital,¡± while talking to Express.?
¡°A kitchen and dining area also have been made ready. We are also planning to provide cooks and take care of daily food needs of patients,¡± he added.?
This is a great move on his part and he can empathise with those suffering from COVID-19 as he has been there. We need more people like him to step up.?
As of now India's COVID-19 tally is above 12 lakh and nearly 30,000 people have died. Over 7,84,000 have recovered.