Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 27: The former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who underwent a critical heart surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in 2009, after regaining consciousness did not question about his physical health but about the country’s economic health.
According to Dr Ramakant Panda, the senior cardiac surgeon who treated Dr Singh said Dr Singh, who was the PM at that time, had undergone a 10 to 11 hours long critical coronary bypass surgery at the AIIMS, Delhi.
“After we finished his heart surgery…at night when we took out the first breathing pipe when the person can speak…The first thing he asked me was “how is my country? how is Kashmir.” I said but you did not ask me anything about your surgery. To which Dr Singh said he knew I would do a good job,” Dr Panda said.
“I’m not worried about the surgery. I’m more worried about my country,” the former PM told Dr Panda. The senior cardiac surgeon further emphasised, “He was a great human being, a humble person, and a patriot. As a doctor, he is the ideal patient I can think of.”
According to Dr Panda, patients often complain of chest pain after such surgeries. “…But he never even once asked or complained about anything. That was the sign of a strong human being. Every time he used to come for post-surgery check-ups, we went to the hospital’s gate to receive him. But he always told us not to,” Dr Panda said.
“At a personal level, I know he was a man of very strong integrity. He had a very steady reserve. If he said something he will do, he will do it. You cannot change his mind,” he added. Dr Singh died on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age-related medical complications.
The former Prime Minister’s last rites will be conducted with full state honours. A seven-day state mourning will be observed throughout the country as a mark of respect to Dr Singh. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across India. Additionally, all government programs scheduled for Friday have been cancelled.
