MUMBAI: The fatal COVID pandemic taught unforgettable lessons to the human race. Nowadays, it has become imperative to monitor a person’s body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar, heartbeat, and more importantly the O2 (Oxygen) level to check their health regularly. Timely supply of oxygen to patients suffering from pulmonary diseases is becoming vital. Thus, the world is realising the value of one breath.
Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre recently arranged an event in Goregaon to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle and pure air for patients with pulmonary diseases. Masala King Dhananjay Datar, a philanthropist and an ardent supporter of social welfare projects, attended the program and donated oxygen kits to 3 such patients who regularly need oxygen but can’t afford the expenses. Each kit included an oxygen concentrator to supply oxygen at home, a portable oxygen machine to supply oxygen for a few hours in travel or outside the home, and a Pulse Oximeter to check the oxygen saturation level in blood. Dhananjay Datar had given 5 such kits last year also.
Dr.Dhananjay Datar said, “My mother, in her last days, suffered from a pulmonary ailment and couldn’t draw breath properly. I couldn’t bear her pain and struggle. Even today, I feel restless when I see such patients who are in dire need of oxygen but can’t afford an oxygen supply instrument. During the COVID pandemic, many patients died without timely oxygen provision and some could not even reach the hospital in time due to the unavailability of the ambulance. We, therefore, financially supported a unique drive called ‘Rickshaw Ambulance’ where an auto-rickshaw can be equipped with an oxygen cylinder and can be utilized as an ambulance. Last year’s donation was a small token of our help and this year, we continued it. We will endeavor to help many more such patients in the future.”
The program was coordinated by Dr. Poorvi Devani, who has extensive experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary diseases. She said that patients with pulmonary diseases could live a normal and healthy life with positive thinking, correct treatment, discipline, and regular exercise, along with counseling and rehabilitation.
Dr. Prahlad Prabhudesai and his wife Mrs. Vaishali Prabhudesai, the founders of Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, acquainted the audience with the activities and social work of the center. Dr. Prabhudesai said, “It is important to live a healthy life and for that everyone should understand the necessity of maintaining health, adopting the right lifestyle, and realizing the value of a breath.”
