Ex-matron of Mumbai Central's Jagjivanram Hospital: Would rather die than be bedridden

Aided by a walker, Duru Jagasia started moving around four days after the surgery

A former matron at Mumbai Central's Jagjivanram Railway Hospital, Mulund resident Duru Jagasia, 94, found herself unable to walk after falling from her bed and breaking her hip at the end of January. Doctors informed her that she would remain bedridden for the rest of her life unless she opted for a risky hip replacement surgery.

"She told us that she would ‘rather be dead than be bedridden'. The thought of having to compromise her independence made her uncomfortable," said her daughter-in-law, Seema. At 80, Duru had previously undergone bilateral knee surgery, after which she relied on a wheelchair for a couple of years. However, since then, she has been a fairly independent person for her age with a set routine of early morning walks.

Last week, Duru underwent a 40-minute surgery performed by two orthopaedic doctors. Within four days after surgery, she began walking with the assistance of a walker. Currently, she is still at Ghatkopar's Nulife Hospital receiving physiotherapy. "Taking her to the hospital where she worked was out of the question because it was too far. Her movement will still be limited for the next two months, but she should recover after that," said Seema.

Dr Deepak Baid from Nulife Hospital said that initially, the family was reluctant due to fear of Duru not surviving the surgery. "They thought she would die on the table. But the patient was determined to live a better life," he added. According to Dr Baid, however, the risks associated with prolonged bed rest, such as developing bed sores and other complications, can be more challenging to treat. "The mental toll it can take is another concern," he said.

40 mins
Duration of the surgery