By David Laitphlang
Amidst despair, gloom and grief that pervades the air these pandemic days, it should come as a much-welcomed breath of fresh air to hear of a Covid infected patient, with practically no chance of survival, being reunited happily with his loved ones today after a long drawn and hard fought 60 days battle against the infection.
Dr. H Larikyrpang Kharchandy, 37 years old, departed from Nazareth today, where he was treated by a team of doctors who toiled endlessly to save him despite his condition being severely critical upon arrival at the city hospital.
Dr. Larikyrpang is currently finishing his final year post graduation in Microbiology at the Indian Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Prior to this, he served in Nazareth Hospital before joining government service as medical officer in charge of Dongki Ingding PHC in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district from 2013 to 2018 when he left on study leave for BHU.
He tested COVID positive on April 4, 2021 and after being treated there for a while, chose to come home for further treatment.
His elder brother then reached out to Nazareth hospital and with timely assistance by a rather humble anonymous public representative who requested facilitation by the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. Lari was airlifted from Varanasi in an Air-ambulance on April 28 directly to Umroi airport from where he was then swiftly ferried to Nazareth hospital.
“On arrival at the hospital, his condition was in critical stage and he was treated in the Covid ICU initially with high flow Nasal Catheter and later on as his condition deteriorated, he was intubated and connected to a ventilator,” Dr. Debu M Bhuyan, Nazareth’s Head of Medicine explained over the phone.
Dr. Bhuyan who was ably assisted by his colleague Dr Hemjyoti Das the Head of Critical Care led a team of specialist doctors, nurses and ancillary support staff who ran the whole operation like a well-oiled machine. He admitted that it was a tough challenge for them as the nature of the illness was so dynamic and was so prone to constantly change.
Due to severe Covid Pneumonia, the young doctor developed serious complications which required him to continue oxygen support for several weeks even as all his loved ones remained on bended knees looking to God for a miracle.
“God chose to respond positively I think, because despite all the complications and challenges both physical and mental, he was a strong fighter who battled hard against COVID and overcame it victoriously,” a satisfied sounding Dr. Bhuyan exclaimed.
Dr Lari remained on ventilation for exactly 40 days, revealed an excited elder brother Spaiñ Kharchandy who was on standby since day one coordinating matters for his ailing brother. Acknowledging the gigantic and significant role that Nazareth Hospital played in the safe and healthy release of Dr. Lari, the brother said everything was smooth right from the beginning and thanked the hospital administration for that.
“A big thank you to all the doctors and the nurses of the Nazareth Hospital who dedicatedly looked after and treated Dr. Lari since the time he landed in the hospital,” Kharchandy said over phone from his residence where the family was awaiting the arrival of their loved one.
“This is a miracle and our brother has promised God from his sick bed that he will serve Him more vigorously after recovery,” he said even as he admitted that the road to recovery for the brave young doctor is going to be a long one. “But we’re not bothered because the Good Shepherd will lead us on,” he said confidently on behalf of his mother, the other siblings and all loved ones that stood behind them like a formidable rock.
