Times of India
15 March 2011
By Bapu Deedwania

Arun Natekar who had been suffering from the disease was rescued from the streets, hospital says he is ready to be released
Chembur resident Arun Natekar, 72, who has Parkinson’s disease and was living on the streets before a few people got together and admitted him to KEM Hospital, has been asked to go back home. The hospital authorities have written to the police and to one of the persons who got helped Natekar that he be taken away.

Natekar is in KEM for the past 40 days, and the hospital authorities said he doesn’t need further hospitalisation. The hospital’s dean Dr Sanjay Oak said, "Natekar’s health is much better and he does not need hospitalisation. We made several attempts to contact his family but nobody has responded.

As a last resort, we contacted Chirag Nagar police station. This is a Government hospital and we are struggling to accommodate patients." Maria Baretto from Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society of Mumbai, who has been visiting Natekar regularly, admitted the hospital has constraints.

"Doctors Sangeeta Raut and Yogesh, have been exemplary. The hospital has a point; Natekar can’t remain here forever. We have been constantly following up with his family but nothing has materialised," Baretto said.

Natekar has two brothers – both engineers – and a sister, who lives in Pune. None of them were in touch with him till they were alerted by Ghatkopar businessman Sameer Mehta, who spotted Natekar on the streets.

Natekar’s brother Nandu said the family was not in a position to take any decisions on his behalf. "He has been away from all of us for many years.

Suddenly if we come forward to do anything for him, we could also be blamed for having vested interests. We have no problems in helping him out if he makes it clear what he wants. We are fine with the idea of him giving his property to whoever he wants to. It is also important that people who came forward to help him in this case ensure its logical end," Nandu said.

Baretto and Mehta have a plan in place to ensure Natekar doesn’t go back to streets. "Our society will raise funds and make his house in Ghatkopar liveable. We will get someone to stay with him so he doesn’t get paranoid about a lonely death. We have a sponsor for this cause," Baretto said.