Stranded North Wales intensive care consultant to return home from India
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A consultant from North Wales who was stranded in India during the coronavirus lockdown will return to the UK today.
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd intensive care consultant Dr Venkat Sundaram had been stuck in Bangalore for weeks after visiting his sick father in the city.
Sadly Dr Sundaram’s father died last month but flights out of Bangalore were cancelled as restrictions on movement due to the Covid-19 pandemic tightened.
Now he is due home after intervention from Welsh and UK Governments got him on to a flight.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it had been “working around the clock” to bring stranded ex-pats home and had been in touch with Mr Sundaram directly.
Eluned Morgan, Welsh Government minister for international relations, said: “Our network of 21 overseas offices are working with the FCO and playing an active role in the repatriation of Welsh citizens from across the world, including from Peru, India, Vietnam, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
“We have also been working closely with the FCO on the case of an intensive care consultant from North Wales who was stranded in India.
“As a result of our support, the consultant is due to arrive back in the UK later today.
“We strongly urge Welsh citizens who are currently overseas to return home as soon as possible.”
The respected consultant, who is the ICU lead in the emergency department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, made a moving video appeal from India which had more than 11,000 views.
In it Dr Sundaram said: “Our patients across Wales need intensive care consultants now more than ever.
“I have been in self-isolation but, because of the current situation in Bangalore with the grounded planes, I cannot come home.
“I am appealing to the Welsh and UK Governments to get me home as soon as possible.
“I am needed to help the fight against Covid-19. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr.”
A petition calling on the UK Government to help him come back to work accrued more than 1,100 signatures.
Colleagues from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board made representations to both Welsh and UK Governments on his behalf but he remained locked down on the sub-continent until now.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been approached for further comment.
By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter
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