Kafeel Khan, the Uttar Pradesh doctor who was falsely implicated after the infant-death tragedy in BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, has offered his services for Nipah-hit Kerala.
As per reports, Dr Khan said he was offering his services 'free of cost to the state and will serve the people till Kerala is rid of the menace.'
The doctor became the darling of Netizens with his voluntary offer and the unwelcome man in UP became loved one in the southern state. Unconfirmed reports said the Left-ruled Kerala government had sent two flight tickets to Dr Khan and welcomed him to work in the state and is expected to arrive on Friday. The offer and Kerala's reciprocal gesture assume significance as a war of words has been raging between the BJP and the Left front over 'depicting Kerala as a state marred with political violence.' BJP leaders, including senior Union ministers had expressed apprehension over the 'state of affairs' in Kerala and said the law and order situation was the worst in the country.'
Dr Khan had on May 21 posted the picture of Lini, a nurse from Perambra who died of the illness, with a condolence message.
He posted the next day that he was disturbed by the tragedy in Kerala and requested chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to allow him to serve at the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. 'to save innocent lives.'
“[sic] After sehri n fajr namaz was trying to sleep but couldn’t. Disturbed with increase no of mortality due to Nipah Virus (NiV ) infection n rumors spreading on social media platforms. I request Kerala chief minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan to allow me to serve at Calicut Medical college to save innocent lives. Sister Lini is a inspiration and I am more than willing to sacrifice my life for the noble cause. May Allah give me the strength /knowledge and skill to serve Humanity,” he wrote.
The word spread and the chief minister said on his official web page that the state welcomed the service of medical professionals like Dr Khan, who had expressed their interest to work in the Nipah affected areas of Kozhikode.
“Dr Kafeel Khan’s request to serve in the Nipah virus affected regions of Kerala has come to the attention of CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Even in the face of danger, doctors continue to toil for the benefit of society, without being mindful of their own well-being. Dr Khan is one among them. Many medical professionals have expressed their interest to work in the Nipah affected areas of Kozhikode. The government of Kerala welcomes their service. Those who are interested to volunteer must contact the director of Health Services or the superintendent of the Government Medical College, Kozhikode,” the post said.
To clear the air regarding his visit to Kozhikode, he also wrote that he was disheartened with negativity around. On Wednesday he wrote: [sic]
“1 This is a community service ,I don’t want any pay /salary
2 I’ll be serving in Kerala till Nipah outbreak curtailed, definitely coming back to serve Gorakhpur, UP
3 - Even though Nipah is a different virus than what we get in Gorakhpur, UP causes similar clinical picture and treatment is similar - Symptomatic ,
I could use my expertise as intensive care specialist to save some lives
4 H”ble court has not put any restriction on me to serve in any part of country
One more thing I wanna clear it’s me only who approached chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sir with request to allow me to serve in kerala and m deeply indebted to him for his prompt positive response. I’ve contacted CMS Govt Medical College and he assured me to revert soon [sic].
After his nine-month ordeal in prison, he returned to the hospital on May 19, with a strong-worded letter to the authorities. He asked them to revoke his suspension and allow him to continue service as lecturer, Department of Pediatrics at BRD.
Thanks to the fan following - the doctor’s Facebook account has reached the maximum limit to accommodate friends, and he started a separate page ‘Realdrkafeelkhan.'
Meanwhile, the incisive posts of a young woman gynaecologist at the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, has been trending on social media. Dr Ambilli Kadannayil lashed out at Kafeel Khan and the Kerala government alleging them of playing politics over Nipah related deaths.
“Khan is a doctor who was jailed for not performing his duties,” said Dr Kadannayil and deplored Pinarayi Vijayan's decision to take help from him.
She also claimed that as a doctor working in the same hospital, she had a good understanding of the situation and that there was no need for 'favours' from people like Khan.