Doctors turned divine soul for Kuldeep Kumar, who not only required timely treatment for renal cancer, but also had no money for the treatment.

Putting their best foot forward, the doctors of Indira Gandhi Medical College alleviated his sufferings to give him a new lease of life. Already a diabetic and heart patient, Kuldeep Kumar was diagnosed with renal cancer at Dr Rajinder Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

The doctors had referred him to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh to seek immediate treatment.

Penury weighed him heavy due to losses in business and no savings to fall back on.

The solitary bread earner to a family of seven instead decided to shift to IGMC to seek some solace.

However, here too he got the same response to be shifted to PGI.

Reluctant Kuldeep Kumar and his wife expressed their helplessness, totally banking for succour and help from the doctors at IGMC.

Taking no chances the doctors explained to him of the risks and complications involved in operating him at the hospital. Stuck between the devil and the deep sea, despite the risk he and his wife requested the doctors to get him treated even if it meant at the cost of his life.

After thoughtfully considering his persistent requests, IGMC senior superintendent Ramesh Chand and Surgery department head, Jagdish Gupta decided to help him. The hospital decided to go ahead with the treatment and also bear all the expenses that is to be incurred for his treatment. He was operated on June 23 and his kidney was removed.

“I am fortunate that the hospital came to my rescue at a time when I and my family had almost lost hope. They have given me a new life,” Kuldeep Kumar who is now recovering in the hospital told The Statesman.

IGMC senior superintendent Ramesh Chand said, “The hospital has decided to bear the future expenses including chemo therapy and radio therapy.” Over Rs 20,000 treatment cost so far has been taken care by the hospital, he added. He lauded the role of the Surgery department team headed by Jagdish Gupta who had performed Kuldeep’s surgery.

A resident of Dari village in Dharamsala (Kangra), Kuldeep Kumar is a small time contractor. His business took a nose dive after his health issues cropped up.

A diabetic patient, his fate worsened after he suffered heart attack in the month of May. As work suffered his debts mounted to around Rs 4 lakh with no source of income to repay.