A Kerala nurse fell victim to the deadly Nipah virus while taking care of one of the first infected patients.
Lini Puthussery developed a fever while treating one Mohammed Sadik who also died of the viral attack a couple of days earlier
A mother of two, Lini was a daily wage employee at a hospital in Kozhikode’s Perambra.
What makes this incident even more tragic is that her family could not get one last glimpse of her. With her family’s approval, authorities cremated her body quickly to ensure that the virus could not spread further.
Moments before her death, Lini wrote a heart-breaking letter to her husband that has nation in tears.
“I think I am almost on my way; I don’t think I’ll be able to meet you. Please look after our children. Take them with you to the Gulf; don’t be all alone like our father, please.”
Politicians, celebs and netizens paid their heartfelt tribute for her utmost sacrifice.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote on Facebook, “The loss of Lini, who had sacrificed her life for nursing a patient, is a grief for all of us. Lini’s sacrifice is incomparable. It is painful that Lini met with this tragedy while she was sincerely doing her duty. We, the people of the state, share the pain and loss of Lini’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Her selfless service reminds us of the immense risk a healthcare worker takes to serve patients. The death toll due to the virus-induced fever has risen to nine. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has rushed a team of experts to assist the state that is struggling to cope with the outbreak.
