It is a known fact that Covid-19 pandemic impacted on many people and they were left high and dry for treatment.

But it is unbelievable and unimaginable that a person who staked his own precious life and without caring a damn for his own life and saved the lives of in return fell a victim of humiliation and cheating.

He is Dr.Shabbir Lokhandwala who was disregarded and ignored by Javed Shroff, Managing Trustee of city based well-known Habib Hospital.

Hello Mumbai News took the opportune moment to meet Dr.Shabbir Lokhandwala, a professional RMO since decade to find out the intrinsic facts of the case

Speaking.to Hello Mumbai News Dr.Shabbir Lokhandwala said, ” I was called upon by Mr.Javed Shroff, existing Managing Trustee of Habib Hospital on 20 May requesting me to join the Habib Hospital to administer treatment to covid patients for which payments will be made as per Guidelines framed by MCGM.

Since I had worked with the Habib Hospital earlier and by virtue of that agreed and started working from 30 May 2020. The duty time allotted to me was from 2 pm to 6.30. However, on 30th May Mr.Javed Shroff did not allow me to go home but stay there for 24 hrs and serve the covid patients indoor as well as casaulty .after Mr.Javed requested me that I need to put in more hours of work due to the worst situation with the increase in the number of patients i duly agreed. My daughter also joined me on 1st june  after I took over and we both worked hard and I started to work in the casualty ward of the Covid Patients.

After One month completion of my work when i asked for my salary ironically, Mr. Javed Shroff lashed out at me and insulted. My repeated requests for the salary also went in vain. It was on 31st August, that Mr. Nikhit Panjwani (Habib Hospital Pro ) called me and asked me to come and to collect the salary check. The next day on 1st September when I alongwith my daughter reached Habib Hospital, I was handed over a cheque for only Rs.15,000/ much to my bewilderment.
My daugher got only one month salary check.  To my surprise my cheque was not there when I asked her she told that my cheque is not there and she refused for my payment we both are corona warriors and were active participants in the hospital I am still waiting for my payment and there is no response from the Hospital .

I have the recorded evidence also in which the Hospital Management had agreed that my Two month salary is pending.

Left with no option,I filed a written complaint to Mahsrashtra Home Minister ,Mumbai Police Commissioner and other higher authority to look in to the matter. But, there is no response as yet. Being a senior citizen i have no option and may even attempt to commit suicide. Because Am very much upset as nobody is coming forward to help me. I have worked continously for two month during lockdown when covid 19 was in peak at that time . I never imagined I would be cheated by such a very pretigious Habib Hospital. For your kind information I was also honoured with a Covid Warrior Certificate by HDFC Bank.
I seek justice.”said Dr.Shabbir lokhandwala.

One of the  social activist from south Mumbai Mr .Naeem Nakhwah said, ” its very pathetic that a doctor who has continously worked round the clock during covid 19 and served the covid patients without caring for his own life , and saved many lives is still struggling for his salary.

In the end, the Covid Warrior, Dr
Shabbir Lokhandwala’s Big Question to MCGM is, why the goverment authority has chosen to remain silent silent over this serious issue and why they have not asked the Hospital to release my salary. My appeal to the Government is to look in to the matter and solve this issue as soon possible.

Ironically, Javed Shroff, Managing Trustee, Habib Hospital rejects all allegations and defending himself said , “He was not appointed officially because he was heart patient and our doctors advised us not to allow him to enter covid ward. But he requested us that he will do a job of giving prescription to covid patients. Purely on humanitarian grounds, we helped him and also provided accomodation and food facilities.we have given him Rs.25,000 gift check which has been credited in his account We have the proof.
So his allegations are baseless and no iota of truth behind it.He is misguiding all and one. If he has some issues or problems, he should approach us so that we could sort it out and we are ready to that.

News Edit by K.V. Raman