Pune: COVID-19 patient equates Sassoon General Hospital to 5-star hotel experience

Pune: Unclean floors.. litter.. untidy rooms... This is the image of a general hospital in our mind. But if get a reality check done that 'image' will change forever. A patient who was discharged recently from Sassoon General Hospital has narrated his experience in the isolation ward of the hospital and has equalled it to a 5-star hotel experience. 'The hospital staff was like God to me', he had said.

When Manoj Shetty was tested 'positive' for COVID-19 about fifteen days before, he was shifted to the Sasson hospital for treatment. At first, he was a bit scared - both due to corona and the unhygienic conditions that would be at the hospital - but later when he got admitted, he was relieved. 

Shetty said, "I had sugar problems and was worried whether I would get to eat at an interval of two hours. 'Surprisingly' the hospital staff took care of that entirely. The breakfast provided included Upama, Pohe, Shevai and Khichadi."

"We were given turmeric mixed milk everyday morning so that our immunity would increase. Along with it, fruits like oranges were given. For patients with non-vegetarian food habits, the staff provided two boiled eggs. The staff would ask us to eat as much as we wanted. I never felt shy to ask for double breakfast, eggs or fruits," he recalled.

Explaining the bed arrangement for patients, Shetty said, "Between two beds a distance of 5 feet is maintained. Every bed has a separate locker or table for storage. Blankets and mobile charging points are provided. The area between two beds can be covered with the help of curtains for maintaining privacy. The entire COVID ward is air-conditioned."

"Mental health of patients is also taken care of. Early morning every day, all doctors, nurses and staff along with patients, pray for good health and do exercises. It was like a 5-star experience for me, and the hospital staff was like God," Shetty said. Even if I have to stay for one more month in the isolation ward, I would happily stay there, he added.