PANAJI
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday afternoon landed at INS Hansa and proceeded to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim to enquire about the wellbeing of Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik.
Naik’s vehicle met with a horrific accident on Monday near Hillur-Hosakambi village in Ankola taluka of Karnataka’s Uttar Kannada district.
Singh visited Naik, who is presently out of danger and is recuperating at GMC’s Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), and later convened a review meeting with the team of doctors from GMC to oversee the line of treatment being offered to Naik.
Speaking to reporters at GMC, Singh stated, “Naik is our sharp and dynamic colleague. When we heard about his road accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called me and expressed anguish over the incident. He requested me to visit Naik personally. I have spoken with the team of doctors treating him. They have assured me that his condition is stable. I have discussed Naik’s condition with AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria. He has consulted with the doctors treating Naik at GMC. If proper treatment can be given to Naik at GMC, then he will be kept here. If the need arises, we can fly him to Delhi for medical care. But everything will depend on the doctors at GMC.”
The Union Defence Minister applauded the prompt action taken by GMC doctors and prayed for Naik’s quick recovery. He then proceeded to pay a condolence visit to Naik’s family at their residence at Saper, Ribandar along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
CM Sawant informed that Naik’s vitals are stable and that all four orthopaedic surgeries performed on him were successful. He said a team of doctors from AIIMS would arrive in the State to oversee the treatment.
Explaining the medical treatment given to Naik so far, GMC Dean Dr S M Bandekar said that the Union AYUSH Minister is presently stable and has regained consciousness. However, he continues to be admitted at the CCU so that the GMC doctors can monitor him closely.
“He had suffered multiple fractures and I performed the surgery on him the whole night from 2 am to 8 am. Three major fractures were operated upon. His shoulder had crushed and we reconstructed it. Forearm bone fracture and thigh bone fracture have also been treated. There was chest injury and bleeding and we have installed a tube,” Dr Bandekar stated.
The GMC Dean said that Defence Minister Singh has arranged for the AIIMS team to visit so that the GMC team seek their expert opinion.
Responding to a query about the timeframe of Naik’s recovery, Dr Bandekar said, “While he has regained consciousness, he will take around three months to recover completely. Once he is mobilized, he can be discharged. This will be within 10 to 15 days.”
Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, who is currently in Goa, also paid a visit to Naik at GMC. “Today I visited the Goa Medical College and met the team of doctors treating Union Minister Shripad Naik ji. Praying for his speedy recovery and hoping to see him getting better soon,” Hussain tweeted after the visit.
Meanwhile, Shripad Naik's son, Siddesh Naik has posted an appeal on his social media profile requesting well wishers, family members, friends and supporters to visit their residence at Ribandar instead of crowding the premises of Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
"The crowds gathering at GMCH, out of concern towards health of my father, show their love, affection and support. But at the same time, it's stressing the police force and causing inconvenience to other patients," he pointed out while thanking everyone for their warm support. Siddesh further said that his family sincerely understands the concern shown and respects it.
