Rohit Shishodia
Dr Shatrugun Punjawani, 62, MBBS, serving as a general practitioner, died of corona virus at 4 am at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital in Indore on April 9, 2020. It is learned that Dr Punjawani twice tested negative before he tested positive for corona virus. He is the first doctor in India who has died of the deadly virus, which has infected millions and killed tens of thousands across the world.

Dr Punjawani, who was running his private clinic in Manic Bagh area, had cough, cold, fever and respiratory problem.

“The doctor was first admitted in Gokuldas Hospital and then taken to CHL hospitals. He twice tested negative for the virus. When his symptoms did not improve, he was taken to CHL hospitals where he tested positive for the virus. Thereafter, he was taken to Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital where he succumbed to the virus in the morning,” informed Dr Natwar Sharda, Past President, IMA-Madhya Pradesh.

“It is learned that the doctor was examining patients coming to his clinic daily before he developed the symptoms of corona virus. It is possible that the doctor got corona from a patient affected with the deadly virus,” added Dr Sharda.

Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, Past President, IMA, and Treasurer, World Medical Association, said that the deceased doctor had no travel or contact history with travelers. He was running his OPD till late night in slum type area.”  

He further said that when the doctor tested negative, he released a video saying that he was fine. Thereafter, his condition worsened. He is survived by his wife and three children,” added Dr Wankhedkar.

“This death, and other health care workers getting infected, highlight the importance of availability of BIS standard PPE even for private sector. Of course, this will not deter the medical community to continue serving humanity in this testing time,” added Dr Wankhedkar.