My Rating - 4 out of 5 stars
Publisher - Pan MacmillanGenre - Non-Fiction
Publishing year - 2021
Language - English
ISBN - 978-93-90742-71-4
Pages - 300
Book Review -
The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy by Kafeel Khan is a poignant and powerful account of the medical crisis that occurred at the Gorakhpur Hospital in India in 2017. The book is a first-hand account of the events that occurred and their consequences on the lives of the patients and medical staff at the hospital, but primarily on the author and his family.
Khan, a pediatrician and lecturer at the BRD hospital, provides a detailed and moving account of the crisis, which resulted in the deaths of more than 60 children due to the lack of oxygen supply. He paints a heart-breaking picture of the chaos and confusion that ensued in the hospital as the staff struggled to save the lives of the children.
It is not just a memoir of the tragic events but also serves as a powerful commentary on the state of the Indian healthcare system. Khan highlights the systematic issues that led to the crisis, such as lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, and bureaucratic red tape.
He also discusses the role of the media and the government in the aftermath of the crisis and the impact it had on the public perception of the hospital staff. The author also talks about the political pressure and how the hospital administration failed to take action promptly, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is Dr. Kafeel Khan's honesty and vulnerability in describing his experiences and emotions during the crisis. He writes about the guilt, anger, and helplessness he felt as a doctor and how it all affected him personally and professionally. He also writes about how he was falsely accused and arrested in the aftermath of the emergency and its influence on him and his family.
The book also provides a glimpse into the daily lives of the medical staff and the dedication and sacrifice they make in the face of overwhelming odds. Khan openly talked about his jail experiences, the issues he faced, and the corruption ensuing behind the thick walls.
The book is not only about the BRD Oxygen Tragedy but also about the massive issues of the healthcare scenario in India and how it can be improved. It's time for a call to action for the government and society to improve the healthcare system and not only focus on filling their pockets and trying to save the culprits.
It is vital to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. Overall, it is a fast-paced and thought-provoking book and a must-read for anyone who is interested in reading about the BRD issue or the Indian public health system in general.
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