Dr Sugrim makes miraculous recovery from COVID-19

— survives while battling diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases

 

COVID-19 survivor, Dr Ramesh Sugrim feels he has managed to “pass through hell” but “still feels the heat” after spending six weeks in hospital battling the deadly virus.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle via telephone from a rehabilitation centre in New York, Dr. Sugrim, a well-known Guyanese doctor, shared his experience with the hope that others will adhere to the guidelines to avoid contraction of COVID-19.

Dr. Sugrim was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 27, after experiencing severe fever, pains, cough,weakness and difficulty breathing.

He was in the U.S. with his family after reluctantly retiring from over 35 years of practice in Guyana.

According to Dr Sugrim, he along with his wife and son, who is also a doctor, started to experience symptoms of COVID-19 and were tested initially, but these tests came out negative.

However, their condition worsened and they were rushed to hospital where they were all re-tested and found to be positive. His wife and son have also recovered.

Given that Dr. Sugrim has several underlying medical conditions, his condition worsened and he was placed on the ventilator since he had difficulty breathing.

“That is the worse part, when you can’t breathe. It’s like your life is being sucked out of your body. I was weak, everyone though I wasn’t going to make it. I’m so thankful to God. The prayers of all the persons out there helped me make it because a lot of people went on the ventilators and did not make it. I am one of the lucky ones who was given a second chance at life,” he said.

Dr. Sugrim said struggling through shortness of breath and other pains was excruciating and was filled with uncertainties at times, but he kept a positive mind-set and prayed continuously. He is urging others who have contracted the virus to do the same since worrying or being stressed out over the situation only makes it worse.

He also noted that being isolated was also difficult, especially having to deal with the virus while being away from loved ones.

HAVE TO BE STRONG

“You have to be strong and don’t give up. A lot of people have it and the virus does not really do anything to them, but my immune system was compromised due to my illnesses. Sugar, pressure, heart and because of these underlying conditions, it attacked me. It’s a miracle that I am alive, even the doctors here are amazed at how fast I’m recovering,” Dr Sugrim related.

Having gone through the worse of the virus and is now in rehabilitation, Dr. Sugrim is appealing to all, especially Guyanese, to adhere to the guidelines since prevention is better than cure.

“I would not like anyone to have to go through what I experienced since they may not be so lucky. This thing is very serious, do not take it lightly; it’s a matter of life and death. This thing could have killed me and if it wasn’t because of God and prayers, I would have died; so people please take it seriously,” he said.

Dr Sugrim added: “People need to observe the necessary precautions; wash your hands often; wear the mask, and observe social distancing; and very important, stay at home, do not go out anywhere unless absolutely necessary!”

He is also calling on everyone to have regular check-ups in order to keep tabs on their health so that they are not caught off guard when it is too late.

“Apart from COVID-19, everyone should take their health seriously, whether you have hypertension, diabetes etc., you should make regular checks to be under control. Even though I am a doctor, I used to be careless, honestly, especially with my diabetes. From the diabetes, I got a heart attack and another one. Then I had a slipped disc on my spine.
I underwent two operations on my spine and since then it affected my walking. Take regular check-ups, eat healthy; do exercises, don’t wait for something to happen,” he urged.

Dr Sugrim showered praises on the frontline workers, who have been making personal sacrifices in the fight against COVID 19 while at the same time he urged them to take every precaution necessary.

PROTECT YOURSELF

“First and foremost, you have to protect yourself before you can help anyone. Wear the recommended masks and gloves and if you are dealing directly with known cases, wear the suit if available. If you become sick, you cannot help, plus you run the risk of infecting your relatives that you are in contact with at home.”

Even though he is currently at a rehabilitation centre, Dr. Sugrim, who is now COVID-19- free, connects with his loved ones daily via zoom where they would host prayers, chats and chants. Being an avid singer, he also tries to put in a song or two whenever he can.

Meanwhile, Suresh Sugrim, President of the Humanitarian Mission and brother of Dr. Sugrim, said there are many lessons to be learnt from this pandemic and, among them, are unity and equality.

He explained that after his brother was diagnosis, many persons from various religious background, status and race united on a common front to offer support and prayers for him.

“We all came together and prayed with a sense of deep conviction. We just don’t pray for our immediate family but for all who are sick, all who lost their loved ones. We have persons from all religions. We can be bonded. Let us not make religion separate us. We need to stay together regardless of our faith or practices. If we want to save the next generation, we need to leave something of a legacy, that is, to be living together in peace and harmony,” he said.

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