Vaccine man Chandra Ballabh Benjwal breathed his last today after battling for life for 21 days

Popularly known as the Vaccine man eminent scientist, chief of the Covaxin project that has saved thousands of lives in the country n in SAARC nations and senior Vice president of Bharat Immunological and biological corporation limited Chandra Ballabh Benjwal breathed his last in Max hospital Saket this morning after battling for life for several days. He was unfortunately suffering from black fungus after having been infected with Covid 19. He originally hailed from Village Bhaiji in Agastyamuni, Rudraprayag, Garhwal Uttarakhand. His untimely passing away has send shock waves in entire Uttarakhand and the country. Mr Benjwal was seriously suffering from black fungus ( Mucormycosis) n was on ventilator. According to nodal officer of Parvatiya Vikas Shodh Kendra and his daughter Aishwarya the entire savings have been exhausted in his expensive treatment. About thirty lakh rupees were required for his treatment as the injections n other medicines were too expensive. His daughter Aishwarya had appealed for financial help and the contribution was pouring in.

According to Aishwarya’s appeal her father, Chandra Ballabh Benjwal, had been the chief of various projects (including oral polio and cholera vaccine) at Bharat Immunological and Biologicals Corp. Ltd. Ashwarya wrote till 19th of April, 2021, her father was involved day and night with immense dedication to kick-start the production of Covid-19 vaccine at his company, prioritising the need of the hour over his own well being. Sadly two days later, he developed multiple symptoms, and an RTPCR confirmed him covid positive.

For the next 21 days, he battled severe lung infection (90% infected lungs) at a hospital, and just when we were beginning to get hopeful about recovery, he was diagnosed with the dreaded Mucormycosis (Black Fungus). We had to shift hospitals to save his life. Since then, he has been fighting both black fungus and lung infection, and has been now put on ventilator. The doctors have declared his situation very critical, and his treatment plan is extremely complex owing to his diabetic condition. He needs the scarce and exponentially expensive Liposomal Amphotericin B injections everyday for 24 days, not to mention the multiple tests, medical investigations and countless medicines he needs on a daily basis. The medical expenses have taken a serious toll on our family’s financial situation, we have already exhausted all our resources, but my father still needs at least 20 more days of hospitalisation. We estimate a need of nearly INR 30 Lacs to continue the treatment and other financial assistance. Your support, however small it may be, can help save my father and help our family avoid financial ruin. Warm wishes are equally welcomed. Please help us save the vaccine man, who has dedicated his whole life saving others.

Senior Vice President of Bharat immunological and Biological Corporation limited n chief of the Covaxin project Mr. Benjwal had convinced n assured the PMO, union health ministry, union science n technology ministry that the indigenous vaccine Covaxin will be the best proposition for the good of the nation and countrymen as a very effective vaccine thus getting the clearance from the central government. It is indeed an end of an era as in passing away of Benjwal Sir, after 21 days of batlte for life has lost an eminent icon who has saved millions of countrymen but himself succumbed to dreaded black fungus. RIP.