JAIPUR: Internationally acclaimed neurologist and recipient of Padma Shri Dr Ashok Panagariya died after battling with post-Covid complications on Friday afternoon.
After he was admitted to a private hospital in Jaipur, the family decided to take him home while he was on ventilator.
He breathed last at 3.46pm.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and state health minister condoled the death of the neurologist and termed it as an “irreparable loss” to the field of neurology.
Dr Panagariya’s family members grieve at their residence in JaipurPanagariya, 71, was on ventilator support for the past three weeks at a private hospital where he got admitted on May 1 following post-Covid complications.
His condition deteriorated in the past two days and he died on Friday at his residence.
“On the request of his family members, he was discharged with ventilator support at 2pm.
He died at home at 3.46pm,” said hospital sources.
Panagariya had recovered from Covid but after recovering from the infection, he was suffering with many other problems.
In view of this, he was admitted to a private hospital in Jaipur.
He had a kidney problem.
Dialysis was being done everyday.
But his health continued to deteriorate and he was then put on ventilator support.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
TOI spoke to Dr Dinesh Swaroop Mathur who had retired as professor of Rheumatology from SMS Medical College in 2003 and had been tutor of Dr Panagariya, who said, “He was a very bright student who did not believe in just learning what is written in the books.
He was the first doctor from Rajasthan who had done DM in neurology from Rajasthan.
He attained heights and success due to his sheer hard work and passion for his work.” After his retirement, he was offered a job with a package of Rs 12 crore annually, but he decided to continue his practice and denied this offer.
Meanwhile, chief minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed his condolence on the demise.
“It is a big loss for the state.
During the pandemic, Dr Panagariya had rendered his services.
This is also a personal loss since we had family relations,” said Gehlot in his statement.
Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje termed the death of Panagariya as an “irreparable loss” for the state.
The eminent neurologist received the Merit Award from the government of Rajasthan in 1992.
He served as Head of the Department of Neurology at SMS Hospital.
He was the SMS Medical College principal from 2006 to 2010.
In 2014, he was felicitated with Padma Shri.
Also, he had 90 research papers featured in prominent journals.