In a heartwarming incident from Chennai, crowdfunding helped in airlifting an Odisha youth for ECMO treatment after he suffered a severe lung infection. On Thursday, Amrit Pradhan, who has
been battling Covid19 for over a month has been airlifted to Chennai-based Apollo Hospital.
The 24-year-old software engineer was lifted in an air ambulance fitted with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The Odisha government also facilitated a special ‘green corridor’ for hassle-free transportation of the patient.
“Thanks to the Commissionerate Police for providing the green corridor. My brother has been shifted to Chennai for the best possible treatment. His shifting to Apollo Hospital was necessitated as the majority portion of his lungs has been affected due to Covid and he needed immediate ECMO,” said Amrit’s sister Manisha.
All of this was made possible for the treatment of 24-years old Amrit through crowd-funding.
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Amrit, a resident of Berhampur is a software engineer. He left his job to prepare for Civil services. His parents had contracted coronavirus in April and Amrit was taking care of them. But, soon Amrit also started showing the symptoms of Covid 19.
He contracted coronavirus and was admitted to a private hospital initially. As his condition deteriorated he was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where he was on a ventilator since May 12. His lungs were severely affected by Covid 19, following which AIIMS advised ECMO and lung transplant.
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But, the family lost hope as they came to know that the treatment and transplant will cost a minimum of Rs 1.5 crores. The ECMO-supported air ambulance costs around Rs 30 lakh. The treatment is to cost Rs 2 lakh per day and the lung transplant will cost between Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
Amrit’s sister Manisha said, “all our family members had Covid19. We have already spent a few lakhs on the treatment. We were clueless so we decided to appeal on social media seeking financial help. A few of my friends suggested crowdfunding through the fundraising site Milaap.” As soon as the request was posted on the Milaap site, several celebrities also shared it, requesting people to contribute.
So far, they have raised over Rs 63 lakh with the support of more than 5000 people. The family hopes to raise an expected amount for Amrit’s treatment through people’s generous contributions.
“A week ago there was no hope. Now we can think of providing him better treatment after the crowdfunding. His condition is still critical. But the huge support and blessing he has received from people across the country are incredible. He is now a part of a big Indian family and we will fight till he is cured,” said Amrit’s brother-in-law.