In a room full of patients, Kamlaben Vankar sits beside her husband's bed at Modasa general hospital. She is writing post-cards to invite family members for her god bharai on Sunday.

But she does not know if her husband would be able to attend the function, welcoming their first child. Because Prithivi Malaji Vankar (35), a resident of Palampur near Modasa, has been hospitalised for a month. He was admitted in a private clinic, but was shifted to general hospital here last week.  

“There is a custom in our family where a pregnant woman and the unborn child are given blessings and gifts by relatives,'' said Kamla. 

After a week-long treatment for hepatitis-B, Vankar hopes that he will be discharged from the hospital before Sunday. Vankar, who has been suffering from constant stomach ache, had also consulted private doctors. But in spite of taking medicines and injections from them, when he could not get relief, he came to the general hospital.

Niyati Rana & Uktee Dhebar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication