How Nana Patekar remained close to politicians, but an outsider in politics

Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away from a cardiac arrest earlier today, leaving a haunting sense of missed opportunity for those who attended to him. Dr Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant and Chief of Oncology at Manipal Hospital in Goa, shares his somber account of the actor's final moments. Patekar texted a friend around 2:30 am, expressing a sense of unease.

The 4:18 am call from his caretaker to the hospital's emergency room revealed a critical situation. Upon arrival, the medical team discovered Patekar in grave condition, immediately initiating resuscitation efforts. Despite continuous CPR and other interventions during transfer to the hospital, Patekar did not show any signs of improvement.

He was pronounced dead at 5:20 am. Dr Salkar emphasizes the critical importance of the first hour following a cardiac event, known as the "Golden Hour." He believes that had Patekar reached the hospital earlier, the medical team might have had the chance to save him, potentially through procedures such as addressing a potential blockage in a major artery or placing a stent.

Dr Salkar regrets the 90-minute delay in medical attention and stresses the urgency of reaching a hospital within an hour of symptoms. He also encourages all individuals to learn basic CPR techniques, as simple chest compressions can be life-saving. While acknowledging that destiny ultimately determined the outcome, Dr Salkar emphasizes that even earlier intervention could have made a difference.