A harrowing incident in Lucknow shook a family when their three-year-old child fell from a terrace. Facing a gruesome fate, a rod critically injured his upper torso. However, a doctor from King George Medical College came as an angel in disguise, saving the toddler after a successful 6-hour-long surgery. Sharing this incident on social media, the internet praised neurosurgeon Dr Ankur Bajaj, who saved the boy’s life even though his own mother suffered a heart attack hours before the surgery.
Kartik, the patient in question, was immediately rushed to a private hospital after his accident. The parents were quoted Rs 15 lakhs for the surgery. However, he was then taken to the medical college where Bajaj and his team performed the surgery. Taking nearly 6 hours, they managed to save him with the total bill amounting to Rs 25,000, as per Prafull Billore’s post on social media.
Who is Ankur Bajaj?
Professor of Neurosurgery at King George’s Medical University, Ankur Bajaj, is a decorated surgeon with over four years of experience in the field. With high expertise in trauma, skull base surgery, and pediatric neurosurgery, he has several accolades to his name. He is also famously recognised by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for saving a passenger aboard a flight in 2018.
He has been actively involved in pediatric research in neurotrauma and holds an MCh in Neurosurgery from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
‘True heroes don’t wear capes-they wear white coats’
Responding swiftly to the critical situation, the doctor has received high praise for his dedication to saving lives. Users on LinkedIn have lauded Bajaj for his actions. “True heroes don’t always wear uniforms — some wear white coats,” read a comment under the post.
On the other hand, the internet was quick to point of the healthcare system in India. A user commended the surgeon’s compassion but also highlighted the “painful reality of our healthcare system. Families shouldn’t have to choose between life and financial ruin. Deep respect for doctors who put humanity first,” they wrote.
Calling him the “faint glimmer of hope,” a netizen appreciated Bajaj’s efforts while others idolised her service. Sharing another incident from a public hospital, a user, Manoj Upreti, commented that a contract worker was rushed to a nursing home who had a ruptured intestine. Upreti claimed that he charged Rs 25,000 for the “X-ray, operation, medicine, and stay for 6 days.”
“Abhi gaaon aur kasbon main manavta jinda he. Sabhi machine nahin hue hain [humanity is still left in villages and towns, not everyone has become a machine],” he ended his comment.