mid-day's 42nd anniversary: He took COVID head-on

Dr Muffazal Lakdawala 51Bariatric surgeon was the force behind the civic bodyrsquos NSCI jumbo COVID centre which later became a role model for other such facilities across MumbaiWhen the COVID pandemic hit Mumbai famous bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala knew the viral outbreak would stress the healthcare infrastructure everywhere halting many surgeries While many of his colleagues were forced to take a break and continue with online consultations Dr Lakdawala joined the BMC and state in their fight against the virusHe helped set up the BMCrsquos NSCI jumbo centre which became the model for similar facilities across Mumbai Dr Lakdawala also became a primary doctor of the Thackerays when the first family was down with COVIDldquoIn principle all doctors have studied basic medicine and taken a vow to basically try and alleviate the pain of another person It was the love for my city that made me decide to volunteer my services for COVID management in last Marchrdquo said Dr LakdawalaDr Lakdawala with minister and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray at the NSCI jumbo COVID centre PicsAshish RajeWorli where he lives was a hotspot in the initial days of the pandemic He set up a quarantine facility at the BMCrsquos public parking lot before helping the civic body start a COVID care centre at Poddar Hospital Dr Lakdawala roped in seven doctors and 24 nurses initially ldquoOnce Poddar became a success I was asked to help with the NSCI dome We managed to set up 589 beds at NSCIrdquo said Dr LakdawalaIt was during the pandemic that Dr Lakdawala 51 found his true calling in revolutionising the healthcare space with digitisation ldquoBack then the RTPCR testing capacity was not adequaterdquo he said about the beginning of the pandemic ldquoI decided to use artificial intelligence and Xray to predict whether the disease is likely to worsen as well as detect who is more likely to contract the infection in quarantine The technique enabled us to swabtest the right patients even when they are asymptomatic It helped during those days when RTPCR tests were not done so much and we couldnrsquot do mass CT scansrdquo said Dr LakdawalaKnowing that he didnrsquot have the resources to match the patienthealthcare worker ratio the doctor adopted AI and contactless patient management at NSCIBelieving strongly that Mumbairsquos healthcare model needs to change from a reactive one to a more proactive and predictive mode Dr Lakdawala joined the Reliance Foundation Hospital last September to focus on researchldquoAI and remote monitoring of patients in a pandemic gave me the hope that there is a lot that can be done in digitising healthcare which can help rural Indiardquo he saidOn the personal front he became the proud father of twins Lakdawalla is also father to Kiaan Zhiaan and Kiara I used to meet my son and wife from a distance and slept many nights in the clinic I didnrsquot earn much during those eight months and worked more than I usually do But I was content that my city was getting better and I had a role to playrdquo said Dr LakdawalaOn getting to know the Thackerays he said ldquoWhen I volunteered my services in the pandemic I didnrsquot know them Now I can say that I have seen the pandemic through the eyes of a surgeon a volunteer and also as a politician We blame the government for everything thatrsquos not appropriate There are challenges that are far bigger than what you and I can understand I am glad that Mumbai andMaharashtrarsquos battle with COVID was recognised and appreciated by experts and the courts That says a lot about the leadershiprdquoAlso Read Mumbai Relatives of Covid19 victims ask govt to not rub salt on their wounds