adminRushika, a celebrated gym instructor and fitness enthusiastic, has now taken a sabbatical from pumping iron from Empire Gym to take care of the complications related to his health.
During his active days, Rushika competed in a number of local bodybuilding events and inspired a lot of people to take up the sport.
Although he remains muscular and strong at 64 years, Rushika said he has been advised by doctors to have a bypass surgery to repair his blocked arteries and repair the angina condition.
According to his wife, Francesca, they have made an appointment for the surgery to be performed in India on July 5 but the family is battling to raise airfares for him to fly to the Asian sub-continent.
“He has not been feeling well since last year in March and the medicals done locally failed to diagnose what was happening,” said Francesca.
“We were then advised to go South Africa in October and that was when tests were carried out and the results showed that he has blocked arteries.
“They said an operation is needed as a corrective measure because it poses a risk of a heart attack.
“So, the challenge now for us is getting money for visas, air tickets, vaccination against yellow fever and accommodation because our medical aid has only undertaken to pay for the operation.”
Francesca said they are hoping their medical aid provider will deposit the nearly US$10 000 required for the surgery while the family has to foot out other expenses in the region of about US$6 000. This is the part where the family wants urgent help for them to travel to India.
“The quotation we got from South Africa for the same operation was around R350 000 but we make inquires and found India better,” said Francesca.
“We have got a quotation from Medanta Hospital where the bypass surgery is going to be done but we need around US$6 000 for the trip.”
The urgency of the matter is underpined by the fact that the Rushikas are supposed to leave around July 5 and return around July 20 with Kays spending some of the time in hospital while Francesca will need to visit him daily.
“Once the deposit for the op has been made, we will use the letter to apply for visas and it’s around US$83 for each.
“We also need US$1 400 each for air tickets and I would need nearly US$70 per day for 10 days for hotel.
“So, roughly, we are appealing for US$6 000 as a minimum,” said Francesca. Time is certainly not on their side and the family badly needs help and those who can help Rushika, in this life-and-death issue, are free to make a donation to the family.
Online Reporter