Mr. Stephen, a 67-year-old labourer who worked at an electrical shop in Chennai, had been a humble and honest worker all his life. He worked with wires and bulbs at the shop in his daily routine.
One evening, while he was returning home from work, he had a severe chest pain and difficulty in breathing. It was a harbinger of something serious as he was diagnosed with a severe triple vessel coronary disease the same day.
The doctors advised him for a life-saving but costly Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery. The news about the surgery was more painful for Stephen than the disease itself. He was a poor labourer and didn’t have any savings.
“I was ready to give up then. I didn’t have money to fight this disease,” he says. Stephen narrated his experience of how he fought to survive those crucial days.
The owner of the electrical shop where Stephen worked came to his rescue. He was the first person to show solidarity. He condoled Stephen’s condition and assured to contribute towards his treatment. The generous people in the locality also contributed generously towards Stephen’s treatment.
They pooled in enough amount to help Stephen bear the expenses of the treatment. However, there was another twist awaiting Stephen. The doctors at Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre took special care of the poor labourer.
Dr. Srinath and Dr. Senthil Kumar at Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre were deeply moved by Stephen’s condition and assured special care for him. They managed to get him the necessary financial assistance and concessions from the hospital for his treatment. Dr. Srinath and Dr. Senthil Kumar also contributed personally to help Stephen bear the expenses of the treatment.
All these good efforts enabled Stephen to survive this life-threatening condition and get discharged from the hospital after a week. He was blessed to be alive and safe.
“I am alive today because of the support from the community, my shop owner, and the two wonderful doctors,” Stephen says. He was back to his routine in the local vicinity doing daily chores.
“Without their help, I would have not been alive today,” Stephen adds. He is forever grateful to the people and the doctors who helped him in times of distress.
