Renowned Bharuch paediatrician succumbs to Covid-19

Surat: On National Doctor’s day, a pall of gloom descended upon the medical fraternity in Bharuch as a renowned paediatrician succumbed to Covid-19 infection at a private hospital in Vadodara on Wednesday.
Dr Mayank Pittaliya, 62, who was running a private children’s hospital in Bharuch’s Panch Batti since 1983, had tested positive for the deadly virus on June 10 and was admitted to the Jayaben Modi hospital in Ankleshwar.
Incidentally, Dr Pittaliya was born on July 1, 1958.
After undergoing treatment for a few days, Dr Pittaliya complained of breathlessness and was shifted to the Vadodara-based Tricolor Hospital on June 16. On June 19, Dr Pittaliya’s wife Meera also tested positive.
There were rumours on June 16 that Dr Pittaliya had succumbed to the Covid-19 infection in Vadodara.
However, to put the rumours to rest, Dr Pittaliya shot a video from the hospital and sent it across social media platforms informing that he was fine and also appreciated the treatment at the Jayaben Modi hospital in Ankleshwar.
He also stated in the video that he was recuperating and will soon return to Bharuch.
Every year on his birthday, Dr Pittaliya used to celebrate the day as National Doctor’s Day in Bharuch with his patients and the doctors’ fraternity.
Sources said that the Dr Pittaliya’s wife is also fighting for her life in the same hospital and is on oxygen support. Their son Riddish Pittaliya is settled in Perth, Australia.
The hospital sources in Vadodara confirmed that Dr Pittaliya died at about 12.30 pm on Wednesday. He was suffering from co-morbid conditions including diabetes and hypertension.
Due to the Covid-19 infection, his kidneys were also badly affected.
Dr Nilesh Patel, Epidemic Medical Officer (EMO) said, “After Dr Pittaliya had tested positive of the virus, about 87 of his patients including their parents were screened. Fortunately, all the reports turned negative.