New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has extended its services to Asian Games gold medal winner in a heptathlon, Swapna Barman.

According to a report in The Hindu, a statement from AIIMS read, “We invite the nation’s pride — Asian Games gold medallist heptathlete Swapna Barman — to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences [AIIMS] for diagnosis and treatment of her tooth infection and lower back pain. You brought smiles to the faces of a million Indians, it is now our turn to make you smile without pain and suffering. The 2,000 resident doctors at AIIMS will work hard to ensure that you have the best possible treatment available.

This statement comes after her coach Subhas Sarkar had said that the athlete would “undergo a series of medical tests and may opt for surgery, if required, on her problematic lower back”. Owing to her prolonged lower back problem, about which she first complained in 2017 Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar, Barman currently has her priorities set on getting back in shape.

Harjit Singh Bhatti from AIIMS said, “We understand that the athlete has problems in her lumbar region [lower back] since the past year and that the player is also possibly looking at surgical intervention after medical investigations. Her coach has noted that Ms Barman’s medical treatment is a priority now as there is a danger of her collapsing if she continues to compete. It is now our turn to show gratitude and love for our player, and we as doctors can offer good medical care, diagnosis and treatment. AIIMS is the best in the country in terms of manpower, quality diagnosis, and international treatment and recovery programmes. We will offer the very best for our very best athlete. So we have sent this open invitation to ensure that this gifted athlete is able to compete longer and ensure that our country remains at the top in the medal tally”.

This gesture by AIIMS would definitely go a long way in reinstating athletes’ faith and conviction in the nation.