GBS-stricken 11-year-old back home after 90 days in hospital
Nagpur: After 90-days of hospitalisation, including 70 days on ventilator support, 11-year-old Viraj returned home on January 22. His remarkable recovery from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has drawn admiration and hope across the city.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Treated at a private hospital in Nagpur, Viraj's case stands out not just for the severity of his condition but also for his resilience throughout the ordeal.
"For over three months, this boy battled GBS with courage that belied his age," said Dr Rajesh Agrawal, a paediatrician, who led Viraj's treatment. "His journey is inspiring. I must also commend his parents, whose unwavering faith in the medical team made all the difference."
GBS, a rare autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the nerves, often leads to rapid-onset muscle weakness and, in severe cases, respiratory failure requiring ventilator support. Though treatable, recovery can be prolonged and challenging.
Awareness about GBS remains low despite the severity it poses. Early symptoms such as tingling, weakness, and difficulty in movement should not be ignored, especially after viral infections, as early intervention improves outcomes significantly.
According to Nagpur Municipal Corporation data, the city recorded 16 GBS cases between January and May this year (January 4, February 6, March 5, and 1 in April). No new cases have been reported so far in May.
While the number of cases is limited and trending downward, doctors warn that the severity of GBS often necessitates long ICU stays. "In several cases, patients remain on ventilator support for weeks, which puts enormous emotional and financial pressure on families," said a senior neurologist.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
A relative of a 45-year-old GBS patient currently under treatment shared the painful reality. "It's been over a month on the ventilator, and he was the sole earning member of our family. We have exhausted all our savings, and each day feels like a test of endurance."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Monsoon Shield: NMC distributes safety kits to sanitation workers
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) launched a city-wide drive to equip its sanitation workers — known as 'Swachhta Doots' — with essential safety gear ahead of monsoon. Often working in hazardous and unsanitary conditions, these frontline workers are now receiving protective kits aimed at safeguarding their health during the rainy season. Acting on the directives of municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, and under the guidance of additional commissioner Vasumana Pant, the initiative is being implemented across all 10 zones of the city. The drive is being supervised by deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat and chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle, with special funds allocated for the effort. The kits include masks, rubber and cloth hand gloves, high-visibility jackets, and gumboots — each tailored to tackle monsoon-specific challenges like waterlogging, slippery surfaces, and increased exposure to disease-causing pathogens. Distribution is being carried out in a phased, zone-wise manner, covering not only the core zones but also high-risk areas like the Bhandewadi dumping yard, nallah cleaning units, shelter homes, and the municipal slaughterhouse. Laxmi Nagar, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli, Sataranjipura, Ashi Nagar, and Mangalwari each received 1,280 masks, while zones like Dharampeth, Gandhibagh, and Lakadganj were given 640 each. Additional supplies were sent to Nehru Nagar, NMC headquarters, and field sanitation workers. Thousands of gloves were also distributed, with Nehru Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, and Sataranjipura receiving over 2,000 pairs each. Safety jackets were dispatched in batches ranging from 100 to 400 per zone, and gumboots were prioritised for areas prone to flooding and waste exposure. Sanitation workers, often invisible yet indispensable to the city's hygiene system, face increased health hazards during the monsoon. NMC's gesture is being seen as both a practical intervention and a symbolic recognition of their vital role. One worker remarked, "We are used to working without expecting much. But receiving these items before the rains gives us the feeling that someone is thinking about our safety too. It matters." By prioritising the well-being of its sanitation force, the NMC not only ensured preparedness for monsoon-related challenges but also underlined the value of those who work tirelessly to keep Nagpur clean. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
NMC OKs Rs6.9Cr Project, Modern Dog Shelter To Come Up In Wathoda
1 2 Nagpur: After years of neglect and mounting criticism from animal welfare groups, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) finally greenlit a major overhaul of its animal care infrastructure by approving a Rs6.89 crore project for a modern dog shelter in Wathoda. The decision comes in response to repeated complaints about poor state of the existing shelter, which long struggled with inadequate facilities, overcrowding, and lack of medical care. Animal rights activists routinely flagged the issue, accusing the civic body of ignoring welfare of stray animals. To be built on a 3-acre plot in Wathoda, the new shelter will have capacity to house around 200 dogs. Plans include separate enclosures for adult dogs and puppies, isolation sheds, a dedicated hygiene system, a modern veterinary hospital, play areas, storage rooms, and other essential infrastructure, officials said. Municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari directed the civic administration to strengthen the facility and ensure better care for strays. Officials said the facility will not just serve as a shelter but also as a rehabilitation and treatment centre, significantly improving the city's capacity for humane stray management. With the NMC granting technical approval, construction is expected to begin shortly. The initiative marks a long-awaited shift in the civic body's approach towards animal welfare and is seen as a step forward in creating more compassionate urban infrastructure.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
No Covid-19 surge, just 2 active cases
Nagpur: While several major cities across the country are reporting a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, the situation in Nagpur appears to be under control. Data for the year 2025 so far indicates a relatively low number of positive cases and a manageable public health scenario in the city. According to health department data, testing in Nagpur has been conducted consistently, with a noticeable uptick in May. This increased testing led to the detection of 10 positive cases last month. However, the overall positivity rate remains significantly lower compared to national trends. By the end of May, 71 individuals were tested, of which only 13 tested positive for Covid-19. Importantly, no fatalities have been reported in Nagpur due to the virus this year. Of those who tested positive, 11 patients have already been discharged from hospital care, with only two active cases currently under treatment. This data suggests that despite rising concerns nationwide and in neighbouring cities, Nagpur has so far succeeded in keeping the virus spread under control. The city's healthcare system has effectively managed the new cases, as reflected by the high recovery rate and minimal number of active infections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O novo dispositivo que os idosos usam para ajudar na neuropatia (dor nos nervos) A arte do herbalismo Undo A closer look at zone-wise data for 2025 offers insights into the localised impact of the virus. According to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) figures, the Dharampeth zone recorded the highest number of cases this year, with a total of five persons testing Covid-19 positive, all of whom have recovered and been discharged, leaving no active cases in the zone. Conversely, several city zones reported no cases at all. Hanuman Nagar, Lakadganj, and Ashi Nagar each recorded zero Covid-19 cases so far in 2025. Zone-wise Nagpur COVID cases in 2025: Highest Cases: Dharampeth zone (5). Lowest Cases: Hanuman Nagar, Lakadganj, and Ashi Nagar (0). Active Cases: As of now, the Mangalwari zone is the only zone with active cases (2). Recoveries: All zones saw recoveries, with a total of 11 discharges across the city.
