Dr Sanduk Ruit hospitalised after being diagnosed with dengue

KATHMANDU: Dr Sanduk Ruit, senior ophthalmologist, is presently admitted at Norvic International Hospital after being diagnosed with dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection.

Dr Ruit was admitted to the Thapathali-based hospital following the onset of a fever on Friday morning, informed Kedar Acharya, personal assistant to the doctor.

FILE - Dr Sanduk Ruit speaking about his nomination as one of leading global visionaries by Albert Einstein Foundation, in Kathmandu, on Friday, June 2, 2017. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
FILE - Dr Sanduk Ruit speaking about his nomination as one of leading global visionaries by Albert Einstein Foundation, in Kathmandu, on Friday, June 2, 2017. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

Acharya further informed that Dr Ruit experienced some discomfort while he was checking his patients at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Tilganga Hospital on Friday morning and decided to go for a check-up. He was admitted to the hospital directly and his blood sample was sent for testing. His treatment began as the test resulted positive for dengue, Acharya said.

He added that Dr Ruit's health is improving and he is expected to be discharged tomorrow, which will be confirmed after the doctors check him today.

Dr Ruit helped establish the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and is known for treating financially-challenged patients free of cost. He recently won many hearts when he restored the eye-sight of a 13-year-old boy, Roshan Theeng.

In April 2018, the senior ophthalmologist was presented with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

There has been an unprecedented rise in cases of dengue lately. Dengue cases have risen in 56 districts across the country. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 3,890 patients have tested positive for dengue since July 17 and six of them have died.

As many as 254 people are suffering from dengue in Kathmandu, 32 in Lalitpur, 33 in Bhaktapur and an alarming 1,036 dengue cases have been reported in Chitwan.

Earlier, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Chakrapani Khanal, had also been infected with the disease. He was admitted to Grande International Hospital in the capital city for treatment.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind eyes, pain in muscles and bones, rashes and back pain.

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