103-year-old freedom fighter beats COVID; returns home hale & hearty

Hyderabad: When 103-year-old Paruchuri Ramaswamy was admitted to TIMS Hospital for COVID-19 treatment, he was not sure if he would recover. “I might not come back. Take care of yourself,” a teary Ramaswamy told his daughter Jamuna. However, he recovered and returned home healthy and happy on 4 September.

Paruchuri Ramaswamy, a lifelong Communist and freedom fighter, is originally from the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. He came to Hyderabad in 1987 and for the past few years has been living at the CR Foundation Home for the Aged run by the Communist Party of India leader, Dr. K. Narayana.

He contracted the novel coronavirus on 27 August. He has a history of anemia due to which he was admitted to TIMS Hospital in Gachibowli. His condition deteriorated during the treatment and so he was later transferred to Gandhi Hospital. However, he recovered from the virus following treatment.

“Even at the age of 103 he still likes to farm. That keeps him mentally and physically strong. Though he is anemic, he keeps himself neat and tidy to prevent other infections,” said Jamuna, Ramaswamy's daughter.

Jamuna, who was staying with her father at the CR Foundation, also tested positive for the virus. Twenty-seven people, including 17 inmates, six staff members, and four helpers, from the foundation's Home for the Aged were infected with COVID-19. Two residents succumbed to the virus while others recovered.

Dr. Rajani Kunameni, a resident doctor at the CR Foundation, said, “He was a little anemic but he was active and doing better than the others. Looking at him you won't think he is 103-years old. He is very lively and agile.”

Jamuna added, “He is emotional but mentally and physically strong which is how he beat the virus.”