“We invite the nation’s pride — Asian Games gold medallist heptathlete Swapna Barman — to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences [AIIMS] for diagnosis and treatment of her tooth infection and lower back pain. You brought smiles on the faces of a million Indians, it is now our turn to make you smile without pain and suffering. The 2,000 resident doctors at AIIMS will work hard to ensure that you have the best possible treatment available.”
This heartfelt message was sent by AIIMS doctors to the first ever Indian heptathlon champion in Asian Games. The development comes a few days after Ms. Barman’s coach Subhas Sarkar said she is scheduled to “undergo a series of medical tests and may opt for surgery, if required, on her problematic lower back”.
Mr. Sarkar had said that the athlete is currently in no physical state to compete and that getting back into shape is priority for her for the time being. Ms. Barman had said she was having problems in the lower back while competing in Jakarta. She has been having problems in the lumbar region since the 2017 Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar. She also had minor knee injuries at that time.
Harjit Singh Bhatti from AIIMS said: “We understand that the athlete has problems in her lumbar region [lower back] since the past year and that the player is also possibly looking at surgical intervention after medical investigations. Her coach has noted that Ms. Barman’s medical treatment is priority now as there is a danger of her collapsing if she continues to compete.”
“It is now our turn to show gratitude and love for our player, and we as doctors can offer good medical care, diagnosis and treatment. AIIMS is the best in the country in terms of manpower, quality diagnosis, and international treatment and recovery programmes. We will offer the very best for our very best athlete. So we have send this open invitation to ensure that this gifted athlete is able to compete longer and ensure that our country remains on the top in the medal tally,” he said.
